Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, received the European Order of Merit on May 19 during a ceremony held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, as part of the institution’s plenary session.
The award, created to mark the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration and unity.
During his remarks, Parolin conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s greetings and highlighted the Holy See’s commitment to promoting peace and coexistence among peoples.
Call for Peace in Europe
The Vatican Secretary of State noted that Europe is experiencing a period marked by the resurgence of conflicts and specifically recalled the war in Ukraine.
In that context, he evoked the figure of Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the European project, whose beatification process remains open in the Catholic Church.
Parolin stated that harmony among nations continues to be one of the main aspirations of the European project and advocated for the need to work together for peace.
Defense of Human Dignity
During his speech, the cardinal also underscored the importance of human dignity as the foundation of civil coexistence.
“Among these values is, above all, the affirmation of human dignity, which is inviolable and must be protected at all stages of life,” he affirmed.
The prelate also reiterated the Holy See’s willingness to collaborate with European institutions in initiatives related to peace and the defense of human rights.