Europe and its future. Philosophical and social considerations of Pope Francis about Europe

Abstract

Pope Francis presents a vision of Europe and its future in many of his speeches, lectures, exhortations, and encyclicals. In this perspective, Europe should regain its (lost) position with hope and courage, establishing itself on transcendent (Christian) values and practicing solidarity and brotherhood. However, according to the pope, if Europe does not open itself to the “transcendent dimension of life,” it is in danger of “spiritual atrophy” and thus collapse and “the end of Europe.” This article attempts to answer the question: is Europe still an unfinished project (an unfulfilled ideal), or maybe the European Community is a naive utopia that has found itself “facing the end”?