(Vatican Radio) The former Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,
has written a new book looking at the role the Holy See plays in international affairs.
The book, called “Papal diplomacy in a globalized world", was introduced Tuesday evening
in the Vatican Synod Hall. It includes several speeches from Cardinal Bertone’s seven
years in office.
“First of all, a person like [the Cardinal Secretary of State]
is part of the historic development of the Church, and having been for seven years
[Secretary of State] is an important part of the history of the Church, and each responsible
person in the Church is part of a long chain, and so his service, as such, is a great
contribution for the Catholic Church,” said Hans-Gert Pöttering, the former President
of the European Parliament and President of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Pöttering
spoke at the event, commending Cardinal Bertone’s strong defense of the European project.
“As
far as Europe is concerned, Cardinal Bertone is a supporter of European unification,
and he expressed this in his speeches, and so I hope that his speeches are an example
for other important people in the Church to support the unification of our continent,”
he told Vatican Radio.
We very often hear critics about the situation in
the European Union, we hear criticism as far as the process of European integration
is concerned from people in the Church,” Pöttering said. “I think Europe needs encouragement
from the Church as well and the Church needs encouragement …as well. Let’s work together
to unite Europe more.”