The Christian roots of Europe are based on “service” and “the gift of life”, without which Europe runs the risk of falling into “triumphalism” and “colonialism”. Pope Francis said this in an interview published in today’s edition of the French Catholic daily La Croix. “We need to speak of roots in the plural – the Pope said – because there are so many. In this sense, when I hear talk of the Christian roots of Europe, I sometimes dread the tone, which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist overtones. John Paul II, however, spoke about it in a tranquil manner. Yes, Europe has Christian roots and it is Christianity’s responsibility to water those roots. But this must be done in a spirit of service as in the washing of the feet. Christianity’s duty to Europe is one of service. As Erich Przywara, the great master of Romano Guardini and Hans Urs von Balthasar, teaches us, Christianity’s contribution to a culture is that of Christ in the washing of the feet. In other words, service and the gift of life. It must not become a colonial enterprise”.