On 9 May, Europe Day, President of Latvia Egils Levits and Mrs Andra Levite attended a Holy Mass marking the 50 years of relationship between the European Union and the Holy See at the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, followed by an event organised by the Latvian Embassy to the Holy See at the Santi Quattro Coronati to mark 50 years of EU-Holy See relations and 100 years of Latvia-Holy See relations.
In his address to the participants who had gathered for the book release at the Basilica Santi Quattro Coronati, President of Latvia mentioned that today is a triple celebration: Europe Day, Mothers Day and 100 years since establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Latvia. He reminded that relations between our states were founded on 10 June 1921, when the Holy See recognized the Republic of Latvia de iure. Even before that, the Holy See understood our situation and renewed the Riga bishopric along the current borders of our nation in September 1918, even before we proclaimed independence. ‘Sense of belonging to the Western European tradition helped us survive the Soviet occupation and draw strength to regain independence 30 years ago. We knew we are not forgotten – the Holy See never recognized the Soviet occupation of Latvia as legal. In 1983 the first cardinal from the Baltic states – the Latvian Julijans Vaivods – was anointed in this very church, Santi Quattro Coronati,’ said Egils Levits in his address.
President Levits mentioned the visit of John Paul II to Latvia in 1993 and visit of Pope Francis in 2018: ‘The Church was an integral part of our national and political awakening and independence movement as the Soviet Union declined. I am very proud of the traditionally strong ecumenical spirit in Latvia. There is good solidarity between the Christian churches and among the traditional faiths, and constructive relationship with the State. I think that is why, even though Latvia is not majority Roman Catholic, there was such a warm welcome for the papal visits.’
Egils Levits also emphasised that he is looking forward to meeting His Holiness tomorrow, on 10 May, and conversation about various topics such as current societal resilience. ‘We face new challenges – not only the pandemic, but also the rapid rise of technology in our life and the confusing choices that social networks offer. Here, the church can provide a compass and inspire us to good deeds. We face new challenges – not only the pandemic, but also the rapid rise of technology in our life and the confusing choices that social networks offer. Here, the church can provide a compass and inspire us to good deeds,’ said President Levits.
In conclusion, President also remarked that, ‘Holy See is unique in being not only a religious force, but also a state with global influence and effectiveness, despite its size. It is an encouraging sign for a country such as Latvia’.
Santi Quattro Coronati is one of Rome’s oldest houses of worship. This church, named after the street between Coliseum and Basilica of St John Lateran it stands on, which used to be the route for the papal procession, is Cardinal Julijans Vaivods’ titular church. Santi Quattro Coronati can therefore be considered and still is a kind of a spiritual bridge between the Church in Rome and Latvia. It has become a sort of representation of Latvia for the celebrations of 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and the Holy See in Rome.