Presidents of the Italian, French, German, and Polish bishops’ conferences released a joint appeal urging European unity amid global instability. The bishops expressed concern over a world "torn and polarized by war and violence" and noted widespread anxiety among citizens. The appeal calls for Europe to rediscover its soul to contribute to the "common good" globally. The message specifically warns against the dangers of nationalism, referencing the need to learn from past catastrophes. The statement, titled “The Strength of Hope,” was issued as officials gathered for the annual Munich Security Conference.
22 days ago
Presidents of the Italian, French, German, and Polish bishops’ conferences issued a joint statement titled “The Strength of Hope” on February 13, 2026.1
The appeal, signed by Cardinals Jean-Marc Aveline and Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, and Bishop Georg Bätzing, calls for Europe to rediscover its soul amid global instability and polarization caused by war and violence.1
The statement coincides with the Munich Security Conference (February 13-15, 2026), where a report titled “Under Destruction” criticizes U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies toward Europe as “wrecking-ball politics.”1
It describes U.S. approaches as volatile, oscillating between reassurance, conditionality, and coercion, prompting European nations to prepare for greater autonomy.1
The bishops reflect on post-World War II leaders Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi, who were inspired by Christian faith to build Europe as a common home.1
They highlight how these figures, along with Catholic laypeople, contributed to the United Nations and warned against totalitarian regimes fueled by nationalism.1
Exacerbated nationalism is labeled a “form of idolatry” that places the nation above God and humanity, quoting De Gasperi.1
The bishops stress that united Europe was created not against homelands but against nationalisms that destroyed them, urging rejection of isolationism and violence.1
Europe must foster alliances for authentic solidarity among peoples, especially after the Ukraine war brought Europeans closer despite Eurosceptic movements.1
Christians are encouraged to commit to Europe’s future with the founding fathers’ awareness, sharing hope for universal fraternity as the world needs Europe’s contribution to the common good.1
European bishops demand unity, rejecting nationalism as idolatry
European bishops, particularly through bodies like the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), have consistently advocated for unity and peace across the continent, viewing divisive nationalism as a threat to the Christian call to fraternity and the Church's universal mission. This stance echoes centuries of Catholic teaching, which warns against forms of nationalism or ultra-nationalism that undermine the Church's oneness and the dignity of every person, positioning such ideologies as contrary to the Gospel's demand for harmony amid diversity.
At its core, the Catholic Church teaches that unity is essential to her identity, rooted in the Trinity, Christ's redemptive work, and the Holy Spirit's action. "The Church is one because of her source: 'the highest exemplar and source of this mystery is the unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.'" This unity subsists fully in the Catholic Church, a gift from Christ that demands ongoing prayer and effort, as Jesus prayed: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us." The Church serves as a "sacrament—a sign and instrument... of communion with God and of unity among all men," gathering people from every nation while anticipating the full unity of humanity.
This vision extends to the family as the "Ecclesia domestica," a domestic church where parents foster faith and vocations, radiating unity in a world often hostile to it. European bishops draw on this to promote continental solidarity, especially amid crises like war in Ukraine, urging efforts to "overcome conflict" for "the growth of all within the European Union and beyond its borders."
Popes have long critiqued nationalism when it elevates the nation above universal charity or Church unity. Pope Pius XII condemned doctrines like China's "three autonomies," which "turns minds away from the essential unity of the Church," insisting Catholics cannot approve ideas fracturing ecclesial oneness. Pope John XXIII echoed this in Princeps Pastorum, cautioning against "ultra-nationalism which can destroy the spirit of universal charity—that charity upon which the Church of God is built and is called 'Catholic.'" He affirmed the Church's non-stranger status among nations, promoting native clergy aligned with global Catholic principles over particularist spirits.
Pope John Paul II reinforced this in his address to COMECE, calling for a "new missionary season" to reawaken Gospel hope in Europe, rooted in a "sound anthropology that is not detached from... divine transcendence." He envisioned a Europe free of "selfish brands of nationalism," where nations enrich the whole without consumerism eclipsing the needy. These teachings frame nationalism not as patriotism—which the Church affirms—but as idolatry when it fosters enmity or exclusivity.
Recent pontiffs intensify this critique amid rising populism. In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis laments how some, emboldened by faith, support "narrow and violent nationalism, xenophobia and contempt," urging catechesis to emphasize fraternity and dignity. His Message to Hindus on Deepavali 2024 decries "hyper nationalism" alongside fundamentalism and racism as ideologies "that destroy harmony," supplanted by a "divine plan for humanity" fostering fraternity. He calls religions to sow "harmony amidst diversity" through dialogue and empathy.
On the 52nd World Day of Peace, Francis warned against nationalism "that call[s] into question the fraternity of which our globalized world has such great need," promoting youth participation and trust over fear-driven rejection. COMECE's Cardinal Hollerich applied this to Ukraine, decrying war as an "affront to human dignity" and calling for de-escalation, refugee welcome, and unity under Mary, Queen of Peace.
COMECE embodies this prophetic voice. On Europe Day 2023, amid Ukraine's war, its president invoked Robert Schuman's vision, stressing unity's urgency and bishops' duty to form consciences for peace. John Paul II praised such efforts, noting the Holy See's support for European integration since Pius XII, grounded in Christianity as "identity and unity." This rejects nationalism as idolatry—worshipping the nation over God and neighbor—aligning with Leo XIV's recent emphasis on hope amid tragedy, where nothing separates us from God's love.
While no source explicitly labels nationalism "idolatry," the cumulative teaching portrays it as such when it idols the nation, eclipsing God's universal family. European bishops demand unity not as political uniformity but as Gospel fidelity, countering war, exclusion, and fear with fraternity.
In summary, the bishops' demand reflects unbroken Catholic tradition: unity in Christ transcends nationalism's divisions, calling Europe—and the world—to build the "common home" through charity, dialogue, and peace. This analysis, drawn solely from magisterial sources, underscores the Church's enduring witness against ideologies fragmenting humanity.