As Europeans, we still have to digest Pope Francis’s vibrant and historic speeches delivered on November 25 to the European Parliament and to the Council of Europe.

Media coverage in our newspapers and TV networks has been rather scant. And the Pope’s reflections, ideas, warnings and advice have been far more all-encompassing and newsworthy than has been reported until now.

He has spoken of the transcendental dignity of men and women, of families, children, youths, workers, immigrants and marginalised people. He has shown up the economy and bureaucracy in a new light.

And he has touched on the roots of Europe’s modern soul, on the far-reaching role of Christianity together with other religions. He has spoken of faith and vibrancy, of a young and courageous spirit, in contrast to an old and haggard tiredness, rendering Europe aloof from world events and to cultures of other continents.

Peace is not only the absence of conflict, it is also a deep-seated self-fulfilment, where people’s talents are developed to fruition and not exploited, where the weak can live happily with the strong, where the old and infirm and unborn children have dignity.

Pope Francis has presented a new assessment of Europe’s maladies. And he has set Europe and its institutions some homework to work on, philosophically and in reality.

Let us listen to Pope Francis’s words once again.