Dear Brothers,

I am happy to be able to share some thoughts with you on the occasion of your gathering for the General Chapter of the Order of Friars Minor.

These are difficult and uncertain times for Europe and the entire world, which is being pushed towards a profound reflection in order to find a true path of renewal and peace.

The religious sensitivity that you express with dedication and the spirit of openness, is an important moment in this reflection and a precious contribution to the life of the whole community. Europe itself is an expression par excellence of the possible co-existence of cultures, spirits, diverse traditions and finds its strength in the appreciation of the diversity that constitutes it, even on the religious level.

It is fundamental to face the question of our religious, spiritual and ethical dimensions. Europe has need of a philosophy and a spirit, which call us back to the fundamental values that have formed it during the course of its history. These also have their roots in the Christian tradition and represent a common heritage for all of us, whatever the philosophical or spiritual tradition to which we belong.

The heart of the European project is precisely the achievement and promotion of peace, respect and co-existence. The process of integration that has led us to a united Europe has contributed in a substantial manner to put an end to internal conflicts on our continent. From this great result, we look to dialogue between the cultures today as one of the founding blocks of our European identity and towards an activity that reaches well beyond the confines of the Union. Religion helps our will for dialogue and stimulates openness to and the spread of these feelings of union and brotherhood that are trampled on too often.

The spirituality that the Christian religion expresses is based on mercy and on the gift of self to one's neighbour: with the strength of these principles we can look to a free and peaceful future in which the fundamental rights of the human person will be protected against violence, hatred and discrimination. During these times of division and conflict, therefore, we must rediscover and make the best of the ideas that unite us, in a perspective of respect and understanding of the other: I turn to you because you know how to be bearers of values of communion and peace in full accord with our identity as citizens of Europe, brothers of different cultures but of common roots.

Romano Prodi - President of the European Commission