Pope arrives in Strasbourg
November 25, 2014
Pope Francis arrived in Strasbourg on Tuesday where he began his visit to the European Parliament - one of the shortest in papal history and the first to the western French city since Pope John Paul II visited in 1988.
The Argentine pontiff was invited to address lawmakers by European Parliament President Martin Schulz in 2013. Schulz said the pope had a message about fundamental values that was more relevant than ever in Europe.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said in advance, however, that Francis will not play adviser. The head of the Catholic Church has instead been invited by the European parliamentarians as a moral authority. "He is not coming as a statesman," Lombardi said.
"Tired" Europe
The pontificate was due on Tuesday to speak before EU parliament and the European Council, where observers were expecting some frank words for Europe's political leaders and a call for a "tired" Europe to reinvigorate itself.
Following the pontiff's address, however, neither a mass nor lunch was planned. After less than four hours, the Argentine Pope's airplane was scheduled take off for Rome - leaving behind a clear message for Europe's politicians.
The pope is expected to address issues such as Europe's refugee policies, which he considers inhumane as well as the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
ksb/mz (AFP, KNA)