Pope Francis delivers a message ‘to all the citizens of Europe’ at the European Parliament

Pope Francis made an official visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the 25 November 2014.

He delivered a formal address to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in plenary session before meeting with the presidents of all EU institutions, Martin Schulz (European Parliament), Herman Van Rompuy (European Council), Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (Italian Council presidency) and Jean-Claude Juncker (European Commission).

Safeguarding human dignity was a key theme of the formal address delivered by Pope Francis to Members of the European Parliament. Immigration, protecting the environment, and promoting human rights and democracy were among the topics stressed in a speech that enjoined 'Europe to rediscover the best of itself'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Visits to the European Parliament by spiritual leaders http://www.europeansources.info/record/visits-to-the-european-parliament-by-spiritual-leaders/

France24, 25.11.14: 'Migrants need acceptance,' Pope Francis tells EU http://www.france24.com/en/20141125-pope-francis-europe-speech-accept-migrants-jobs-christianity-strasbourg/

BBC News, 25.11.14: Pope Francis complains of 'haggard' Europe in Strasbourg http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30180667

EUObserver, 25.11.14: EU is 'aged and weary', says pope http://euobserver.com/news/126662

EurActiv, 25.11.14: Stop Mediterranean becoming vast migrant cemetery, Pope tells Europe http://www.euractiv.com/sections/med-south/stop-mediterranean-becoming-vast-migrant-cemetery-pope-tells-europe-310323

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 26.11.14: Francis appeals to Europe's conscience http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER154329-Francis-appeals-to-Europe-s-conscience

The Guardian, 26.11.14: Why did the pope describe Europe as an ‘unfertile grandmother’? http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/nov/26/why-did-pope-describe-europe-infertile-grandmother

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