Pius XII and the Idea of European Unity

Abstract

Pope Pius XII supported the idea of unifying Europe, but reminded Europeans of the principles on which a just and durable European convivence had to be based: on the “moral law that the Creator revealed by means of natural law”, in respect of the dignity of human persons and of all natural communities. He was convinced that Europe should not be a super state disrespecting national cultures, but a synthesis of national identities and transnational solidarity based not on a coincidence of economic or political interests, but on the unity of Christian spirit.