Church in the World

Benedict backs Sarkozy on role of Church in society

On his first trip to France as Pope, Benedict XVI last weekend told a gathering at the Elysee Palace that he was convinced that a new reflection on the true meaning of laïcité - the French tradition of keeping religion and the state separate - was now necessary.

Addressing his host, President Nicolas Sarkozy, directly, he said: "You yourself, Mr President, have used the fine expression ‘laïcité positive' to characterise this more open understanding - it is fundamental on the one hand to insist on the distinction between the political realm and that of religion ... and on the other to become more aware of the irreplaceable role of religion for the formation of consciences and the contribution it can bring to ... the creation of a basic ethical consensus in society."

Political figures on the right and left in France have long criticised Mr Sarkozy's proposal, and France and Britain were two of the main countries to resist mentioning Christianity in the proposed EU constitution in 2004.

In his address the Pope reminded his audience that the "roots of France - like those of Europe - are Christian", and went on to insist that "when Europeans see and experience personally that the inalienable rights of the human person from conception to natural death ... are promoted and respected, then they will understand fully the greatness of the enterprise that is the European Union".

Moving from Paris to Lourdes, the Pope continued his affirmation of the "culture of life". At a large open air Mass for sick people on Monday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, he urged the suffering and despairing not to "turn their backs on life" but to ask the Virgin Mary to help them accept death "at the hour chosen by God". His visit to Lourdes marked the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. The Pope said that the "smile of Mary" could give those who suffered the "mysteriously hidden strength to fight against sickness in support of life". Mary could give the grace to accept natural death "without fear or bitterness", he said.

The Pope began his visit to Lourdes last Saturday evening by joining a torchlight procession with tens of thousands of other pilgrims that ended in front of the grotto of the apparitions. "This procession is for all those who suffer," he said. He then prayed for "innocent victims" of violence, war, terrorism and famine; those who suffer injustices, scourges and disasters, hatred and oppression; as well as those experiencing family problems, unemployment, illness, infirmity, loneliness or their situation as immigrants. The 81-year-old pontiff said "love and hope" shone in Lourdes because it offered "pride of place to the sick, poor and little ones" and helped people discover their vocation - namely, "that it is enough to love".