As he received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize, Pope Francis
laid out his vision for a renewed European continent in what could
easily be his own version of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have
a Dream” speech. In the address Francis said “I dream of a new European
humanism” – one based on fresh ideas and a revamped economy that
promotes integration and respect for human dignity. Europe has become tired and “entrenched,” he said, and voiced hope
that the continent’s leaders would be able to “draw inspiration from the
past in order to confront with courage the complex multipolar framework
of our own day.” He asked that European leaders “take up with determination the
challenge of updating the idea of Europe” – a Europe capable of giving
birth to “a new humanism” based on the core abilities to integrate,
dialogue and generate new ideas and solutions to complex modern issues. “I dream of a Europe that is young, still capable of being a mother: a
mother who has life because she respects life and offers hope for life.
I dream of a Europe that cares for children, that offers fraternal help
to the poor and those newcomers seeking acceptance because they have
lost everything,” he said. He expressed his desire for a Europe “where being a migrant is not a
crime but a summons to greater commitment on behalf of the dignity of
every human being,” and where youth can “breathe the pure air of
honesty” in a culture that is “undefiled by the insatiable needs of
consumerism.” The Pope said he also longed for a culture in which “getting married
and having children is a responsibility and a great joy, not a problem
due to the lack of stable employment. I dream of a Europe of families,
with truly effective policies concentrated on faces rather than numbers,
on birth rates more than rates of consumption.” “I dream of a Europe that promotes and protects the rights of
everyone, without neglecting its duties towards all,” he said, and
voiced his hope for a Europe “of which it will not be said that its
commitment to human rights was its last utopia.” Pope Francis received the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen
inside the Vatican’s Sala Regia as an award for his for efforts toward
the unification of Europe – an event which drew leaders from across
Europe to discuss the state of the European Union.
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...