Vatican City, Jun 24, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In an address today to participants in the European Symposium of University Professors, the Holy Father strongly affirmed that “Europe’s future depends on the family.”
The Symposium is being held in Rome to discuss the theme "The Family in Europe, foundations, experiences and prospects" by looking at the philosophical, juridical and theological bases of the institution of the family.
As the Pope noted, the symposium is taking place within the context of the International Year of the Family.
“One can say thefamily is the mirror of society and even of the Europe which is being built. The evolution of the family is the most important indicator of cultural and institutional developments of the continent,” said John Paul II.