Dr. Cerić welcomed Pope Francis' speech in Strasbourg: Together for the salvation of Europe

Pope Francis' speech at the European Parliament and the Council of Europe is a call for awareness and sobriety, a voice that European institutions desperately needed, a voice that should be heard and supported - stated Dr. Mustafa Cerić, President of the World Bosniak Congress, commenting on Pope Francis' speech in Strasbourg today, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

Pope Francis emphasized that Europe needs new strength, new actions, and unity to be able to respond to all contemporary challenges.

- Europe needs new dignity and readiness to move beyond established frameworks of action - said Pope Francis, adding that the poor, lonely, and rejected must be helped for the sake of peace and security in Europe.

In the context of the Pope's address, as well as support for his views, Dr. Cerić believes that "Muslims in Europe should also have their voice in European institutions, as Europe can be more easily revitalized and strengthened by the joint efforts of all people, nations, and religions living in it."

- As Europeans, we Bosniaks are ready to work with everyone to preserve and strengthen Europe's dignity, for new strength and new hopes - emphasized Dr. Cerić.

In this way, he added, "Europe, which, as Pope Francis described - looks 'old and worn out' - can progress and rise again, stronger and more prepared for contemporary challenges, with Bosnia and Herzegovina and other Balkan countries within it."

Dr. Cerić also congratulated Pope Francis on his special commitment to the increasingly present problem - the growing number of poor and desperate immigrants arriving on the old continent.

Therefore, decisive actions are needed, as Pope Francis says: "The great ideas that once inspired Europe seem to have lost their strength, replaced by the bureaucratic technicalities of their own institutions."

- Let's ask ourselves where the world is going, where Europe is going, where our country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is going. Let's think and instead of the usual political-bureaucratic stories, let's take action, for the good of all - said Dr. Cerić, reports Patria.