Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated in the pontiff's summer residence of Castegandolfo, in the hills overlooking Rome, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2003. The pope said that Europe is suffering a cris
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope John Paul said Sunday that Europe is suffering a crisis in values and expressed hope that the addition of 10 more countries to the European Union next year would be an occasion for the continent's renewal.
The pontiff in recent weeks has decried what he calls a movement away in Europe from its Christian roots.
"You can't deny, that in these times of ours, Europe is going through a crisis in values, and it is important that it recovers its true identity," John Paul told pilgrims and tourists in the courtyard of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, a town on a hill near Rome....