Skip to content

Alcide De Gasperi: The Man Who Shaped a United and Peaceful Europe

Alcide De Gasperi was a founding father of Europe who dedicated his life to politics and helped shape the idea of a peaceful union of nations after the devastation of two world wars in Europe. He was an outspoken Catholic, former Vatican employee, and skilled politician who served as the first Prime Minister of Italy in 1946. Despite being hostile to fascists, he was arrested and sentenced to four years imprisonment, but was later released through Pope Pius XI’s intervention and became a librarian in the Vatican. De Gasperi’s path was marked by a continuous and profound relationship with God, matching his religious experience with his political choices. He understood that Europe needed to put an end to the 2000-year war and came to an agreement with other personalities from borders, including the German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, to lay the foundations of a united and peaceful Europe. De Gasperi always understood politics as the highest form of charity, in the conviction that democracy can only be born on a sense of fraternity that had Christianity as its source.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Saints of Christmas

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! As this holy day approaches, we look back on

Pope sends new shipment of humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Ukraine

Both war-torn countries will receive essential medications, and Ukraine will receive other needed items, including food and clothing.

Pope Francis entrusts to Mary ‘Mediterranean Encounter’ with youth and bishops

Pope Francis commences his 44th International Apostolic Journey in Marseille, France, entrusting a meeting of Mediterranean bishops and youth to the Virgin Mary at the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde.

‘I regret to inform you’: Pope Francis rebuffs Cardinal Becciu in letters read during ongoing finance trial

Prior to the start of his trial on financial malfeasance charges, Cardinal Angelo Becciu tried to get Pope

BREAKING: Carlo Acutis to be canonized Sept. 7 with Pier Giorgio Frassati

The Vatican announced Friday that Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young Catholics beloved for their vibrant faith and witness to holiness, will be canonized together on Sept. 7.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com