Guidance From The Roman Catholic Church

    In Fratelli Tutti's, Dark Clouds Over A Closed World, he noted that there was once a 'dream of a united Europe, capable of acknowledging its shared roots and rejoicing in its rich diversity.' There 'was also a growing desire for integration in Latin America,' his home continent. But he lamented that these unification projects were 'showing signs of a certain repression' because conflicts thought long buried are breaking out anew, while instances of a myopic, extremist, resentful and aggressive nationalism are on the rise.' To overcome this 'nationalism' Pope Francis called for international unity - especially in Europe and Latin America. This is not the first time Francis has advocated for a federal Europe. He received the famed Charlemagne Prize on May 6, 2016, for 'exceptional work performed in the service of European unity.' A year later he delivered a speech to the leaders of 27 EU member states, warning that the EU risks 'dying' unless its leaders band together against populism. Now he hopes the coronavirus will prompt leaders to take him seriously.  - A. Miller