Defeated in his campaign for an acknowledgment of Europe's Christian heritage in the new European Union constitution, an angry Pope John Paul II has accused EU politicians of cutting off the continent's roots

Christian Century, July 13, 2004

Defeated in his campaign for an acknowledgment of Europe's Christian heritage in the new European Union constitution, an angry Pope John Paul II has accused EU politicians of cutting off the continent's roots. The pontiff spoke on June 20 to fellow Poles in St. Peter's Square, thanking their nation as a leader in the cause.

Leaders of the enlarged EU formally approved their first constitution June 18 at a meeting in Brussels. All 25 countries must ratify the constitution for it to take effect. The charter upholds religious freedom but does not contain the explicit reference to Europe's "Christian roots" sought by the pope in a tireless two-and-a-half-year campaign.