Mizzi rebuts objections to Pope's visit to European Parliament

In an email to all MEPs and assistants, two MEPs expressed objections to the visit of Pope Francis to the European Parliament

Two MEPs have expressed, in an email to president Martin Schultz, their objections to a visit by Pope Francis to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. 

In the email, copied to all MEPs and assistants, MEPs Sofie in’t Veld ( Alde) and Virginie Roziere ( S&D - Radical left) claim that this visit will be a monologue and not an open debate as is expected from the Chamber, and as such objectionable. They further argue that the secular institution as is the EP, should not accept addresses from religious leaders as this would not be equally representative of all 500 million EU citizens.

Furthermore, these two MEPs are of the opinion that the visit of Pope Francis is divisive as in their view, he does not respect separation of church and state. 

They further object to the Pope’s visit on account of the Catholic Church's interference in civil matters, saying that it does not accept and respect diversity and freedom of conscience.

Maltese MEP Marlene Mizzi reacted to the email with correspondence of her own, stating that the contents of this email did not respect the principles of understanding, solidarity, non-discrimination for race, religion, gender and so on, and above all tolerance, as is expected from a democratic institution as is the European Parliament.

Mizzi pointed out that Pope Francis is not only a religious leader, but is also a Head of State, and he should be received with the courtesy normally accorded to Heads of State by the EP, as had been done on other numerous occasions.

Mizzi further stated, ‘’nobody is obliged to agree with his religion or politics. Nobody is obliged to accept his ethics or opinions. But few would doubt that the message of this man will be that of unity, peace and goodwill – values which should be everybody’s irrespective of political or religious beliefs”.