Calling for European and World Unity
On a visit to Spain in 1982, the pontiff called for the unity of the whole of Europe.
Some readers may remember Pope John Paul II calling for a Europe extending from the Atlantic to the Ural mountain range in Russia. European unity was a continuous theme throughout the early years of his pontificate. On a visit to Spain in 1982, the pontiff called for the unity of the whole of Europe. Then while speaking to top state officials in The Hague on May 13, 1985, he said, "The Holy See has always sought to encourage this coming together of European communities."
The Times (London) sent a correspondent to Brussels to cover the pope's visit there on May 20, 1985, where he spoke to the leaders of the three main institutions of the EEC (now the European Union). Two sentences of his speech sum up what he said: "The borders set by treaties cannot limit the communication of men and nations. Europeans cannot submit themselves to the division of their continent."
Rather early in his pontificate John Paul II stated: "The Pope has come to speak to the whole church, to Europe and the world, to speak about the nations and peoples so often forgotten... He has come to gather all these nations and peoples together with his own" (The Pope From Poland, p. 143, emphasis added).
Incredible words! Like Caiaphas, the first-century Jewish high priest, who somewhat uncomprehendingly prophesied of Christ's death on behalf of the whole nation of Judah (John 11:49-50), the pope may not have fully grasped the eventual prophetic impact of his own words—especially when one understands key passages in the biblical book of Revelation in the light of what he said. (To understand further, please request or download our free booklets You Can Understand Bible Prophecy and The Book of Revelation Unveiled). WNP
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: May 2005
Course Content
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
