Pope Francis visits European Parliament in Strasbourg

Pope Francis is visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, which also hosts the Council of Europe, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

This is the first visit of the head of the Catholic Church to this body, and Pope Francis also delivered a speech to the MEPs, which was followed by thunderous and prolonged applause. In his speech, Pope Francis criticized Europe's bureaucracy, but also pointed to the position of national minorities. He called for the East and West to connect and for dialogue in the Balkan countries.

Pope Francis was critical, but encouraging in his address. Human rights and dignity were the guiding ideas of Pope Francis's speech.  

The President of the EP thanked Pope Francis for coming and visiting the European Parliament.