Pope urges EU to show solidarity amid coronavirus crisis in Easter message - The Guardian

Pope Francis warned against “selfishness” and allowing old “rivalries” to resurface as he urged the European Union to show solidarity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The pontiff livestreamed Easter Sunday mass from an empty St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, breaking with centuries of tradition.

During his strongly-worded Urbi et Orbi blessing after the mass, Francis said his first thoughts were with “the many who have been directly affected by the coronavirus” as well as the sorrow and hardship the pandemic was causing, “from physical suffering to economic difficulties”.

“In these weeks, the lives of millions of people have suddenly changed,” he said. “For many, remaining at home has been an opportunity to reflect, to withdraw from the frenetic pace of life, stay with loved ones and enjoy their company. For many, though, this is also a time of worry about an uncertain future, about jobs that are at risk and about other consequences of the current crisis.”

He encouraged political leaders to “work actively for the common good”, and specifically spoke about “the European Union facing an epochal challenge, on which will depend not only its future but that of the whole world”.

The EU has been criticised for a lack of solidarity in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and particularly for an absence of coordination in its economic response. Financial ministers struck a compromise on Thursday to unlock €500bn of support for countries hit hardest by the pandemic, although the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said on Friday it was only a first step and that he would “fight until the end” for eurobonds, which would allow member states to raise funds on the same terms from the financial markets.

“Among the many areas of the world affected by the coronavirus, I think in a special way of Europe,” Francis said. “After the second world war, this beloved continent was able to rise again, thanks to a concrete spirit of solidarity that enabled it to overcome the rivalries of the past. It is more urgent than ever, especially in the present circumstances, that these rivalries do not regain force, but that all recognise themselves as part of a single family and support one another.

“Let us not lose the opportunity to give further proof of solidarity, also by turning to innovative solutions. The only alternative is the selfishness of particular interests and the temptation of a return to the past, at the risk of severely damaging the peaceful coexistence and development of future generations.”