Brussels, 04/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Leaders from the European institutions were unanimous in paying homage to Pope Jean-Paul II, following his death on 2 April.
In a press release, the Luxembourg presidency referred to the unifying role of the sovereign pontiff and his important role in reuniting the east and west of the European continent. During his papacy, the presidency of the Council emphasised that Jean-Paul II had worked for peace, equality, solidarity and justice, as well as dialogue between civilisations and religions, and the central tenets of fraternity and reconciliation. Jean-Claude Juncker, the Luxembourg prime minister and president of the European Council sent his condolences to Eduardo Martinez Somalo, “Camerlengo” from the Catholic Church and pointed out that the pope had sent his message of peace to all the corners of the world and on all his journeys. He explained that his visit to Luxembourg in May 1985 was “engraved on his memory and in the memories of all Luxembourg Catholics”. The Secretary General of the Council and CFSP High Representative, Javier Solana, affirmed in a press statement that, “The world - not just the people of catholic faith - has lost an unforgettable spiritual leader, an enlightened champion of peace and solidarity for all. We will sorely Member States a great European sprit of our times”.
In a message underlining the “charisma and extraordinary vitality, even in old age” of Jean-Paul II, the president of the European Parliament Josep Borrell also declared that the pope left nobody feeling indifferent, “he was a great pope”. We hope that his successor will maintain the commitment of the church and its believers on the road of openness, renewal and the fight for the recognition of universal values”. Borrell pointed to the gestures the pope had made to openness and dialogue, together with representatives from other religions, particularly during the Assisi meetings. Borrell also stated that, “history will retain the decisive role made by Jean-Paul II in the return to democracy and freedom in Central and Eastern European countries. History will also retain the often discrete but concrete action in favour of renewing dialogue between the peoples of countries in conflict with each other, as well as for the return to the negotiating table between countries of the Middle East. During his visit to the European Parliament on 11 October 1988, the sovereign pontiff explained that he was' aware of the aspirations of the Slavic people, this living breathing lung of our European country', which formed the wishes for Europe to have sovereign and free institutions that could one day be used in the dimensions bestowed on it by geography and history. This foresight has become a reality”.
In a message to Cardinal Martinez Somalo, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso sent a, “special message of solidarity to the Polish nation which has known Karol Woytjila one of its most distinguished sons…Europeans will never forget his struggle for peace and human dignity” and who was a “founding father of united Europe”. He also stated that the pope had been a builder of bridges between nations, cultures and religions and that he had had the privilege of meeting the pope on several occasions and that on every accession he had been profoundly impressed by his personality, his faith, lucidity and vision.
The Slovenian foreign affairs minister Dimitri Rupel, speaking as acting president of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) explained that Jean-Paul II was “probably the most important European political personality of the last quarter of the 20th century”. OSCE president Jan Kubis said that the Holy Father had taken part in the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and preceded the OSCE and which signed the final act of Helsinki in 1975. Mr Kubis said that Jean-Paul II was, “totally committed to the principles of human rights and freedom on which the OSCE is founded”.