Pope John Paul II dived into the crisis over the new European Commission today by saying it had to be resolved by showing respect for all points of view.
It was the first time the 84-year-old Pontiff had spoken directly about the furore that erupted when a European Parliament committee rejected his close friend Mr Rocco Buttiglione, Rome's candidate for the commission, because of his views on homosexuality and the role of women.
The Pope expressed his opinion on the Buttiglione affair during a meeting with outgoing Commission President Romano Prodi, one of many European leaders in Rome for tomorrow's signing of Europe's new constitution.
"I hope that the difficulties that have surfaced these days regarding the new commission can find a solution of reciprocal respect for all of the positions put forward," he said.
Incoming European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso withdrew his proposed executive yesterday just ahead of an investiture vote in the European Parliament because of outrage over Mr Buttiglione, his commissioner-designate for justice.
Mr Buttiglione sparked fury during a confirmation hearing in the EU parliament last month by calling homosexuality "a sin" and putting forward a highly conservative view of the role of women in a family life.
The Pope's words on respect for everyone's position, appeared aimed at giving a shot in the arm to the besieged Mr Buttiglione, a 56-year-old philosopher who has helped the Pope write some of his encyclicals.
They also followed complaints by Vatican and Italian Church officials over what they have branded an anti-Catholic "Inquisition" taking root in Europe.
Catholic intellectuals have poured scorn on some members of the European Parliament, accusing them of secular extremism for not being able to distinguish between a sin and a crime.
In his address, the Pope also hammered home his disappointment that Europe's new constitution does not include a reference to the continent's Christian roots.