The Pope and Europe

German President gives Pope credit for reunification

"Meeting with Pope John Paul II on Saturday, German President Johannes Rau gave the Holy Father credit for the reunification of his country.

"Germany owes her unity to Poland and to the action of the Pope, without which she would still have a long road to go toward reunification," Rau said.

For his part, the Pope said the most powerful element of European unity is the Christian cultural heritage that the countries share. He suggested Germany could serve as a model for the future of a united Europe, since "Germany is rich in signs for the Christian faith, which still today permeates the lives of many people."

The Vatican has been arguing for an explicit recognition of Christianity in the new European constitution. Rau, who was among the first prominent European leaders to advance the idea of a European constitution, is now hoping to break an impasse over the wording of the document."