Europeismo e universalismo tra riflessioni storiche e aspirazioni politiche.

Abstract

The papacy of John Paul II was characterized by obvious innovations, but
 also by its strict continuity with predecessors. The ecumenical vocation is
 the most valuable contribution of the Church to "coexistence", considered
 not only as a balance of opposing forces, but as the acceptance of universal
 ethical principles on which human society was to be based. The universality
 of human rights, and human nature shared by all, are at the centre of the
 reflections of Pope John Paul II and are the necessary premise for his
 initiatives and respect for the coexistence of different cultures, both within
 Western liberal states and developing countries, in the sign of the
 substantial unity of mankind. His idea of Europe, not different from that of
 the founding fathers, his commitment to the unification and the formation of
 a European consciousness lie in his universal vision of political reality.