At a recent awards ceremony held by the European Parliament, Cardinal Pietro Parolin conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s urgent call for renewed efforts to safeguard peace amid escalating global tensions. Delivering a speech to the plenary assembly, the Cardinal Secretary of State emphasized that harmony among nations is a "promise founded" on the values of the European Union and must be "constantly nourished" through tangible choices aimed at protecting peace.
Cardinal Parolin was in Strasbourg to accept the inaugural "European Order of Merit," an award designed to honor individuals who have made notable contributions to European integration and the advocacy of European values. The Cardinal highlighted that the core of the bloc’s "shared conviction" regarding the imperative to promote and protect peace is deeply rooted in Europe’s Christian heritage, which continues to offer powerful testimony today.
Among the values he mentioned, Cardinal Parolin placed particular importance on the affirmation of human dignity, asserting that it is "inviolable and must always be protected at every stage of life." He underscored the Holy See's commitment to work closely with European institutions to act as “artisans of peace” together.
The establishment of the European Order of Merit coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which marked the beginning of European unity. According to information provided by the European Parliament, this award is the first of its kind to be conferred by EU institutions, complementing national honors and recognizing those who bolster Europe’s collective efforts in defending peace, democracy, and human dignity. Notable recipients of this award, alongside Cardinal Parolin, included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, and former Portuguese Prime Minister and President Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
