In an address to the participants in the annual congress in Rome of the European People's Party (EPP) on 30 March, Pope Benedict XVI urged politicians to put their faith into practice, emphasising that "when Churches or ecclesial communities intervene in public debate [...] this does not constitute a form of intolerance or an interference."
"By valuing its Christian roots, Europe will be able to give a secure direction to the choices of its citizens and peoples, it will strengthen their awareness of belonging to a common civilization," the Pope said. He also said that the EU "can only be enriched by engaging with [Christian faith]." He called on the politicians to reject a society which prompts people to say that Christians should keep their pro-life views to themselves.
EPP leader Hans-Gert Poettering told the Pope in a private audience that "Christians and Muslims can be privileged partners" - which was seen as a coded reiteration of the EPP's stance that the relationship between the EU and Ankara would stop short of full Turkish membership.
The EPP, which brings together 68 Christian Democrat and conservative parties from 35 countries, marks its 30th birthday at its 17th congress in Rome.
