The leaked US diplomatic cables from Wikileaks points to Vatican’s political mind. The cables reveal Pope John Paul II’s dream of a Christian Europe. The Pope and his Ministry were hopeful the introduction of Euro as a common currency in the European Union would help to realize that dream.
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The euro was introduced to world financial markets on 1 January 1999, and became day-to-day operating currency as coins and banknotes from 1 January 2002.
In his commentar the US diplomat writes:
The introduction of the euro is actively supported by the Vatican but for political rather than economic reasons. The Vatican’s finance minister, Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani has previously said that the euro can be seen as a kind of guiding star for Europe “so that it can overcome the barriers of past divisions and become a stimulus for greater unity among the nations.”
The commentar also says:
Throughout his pontificate Pope John Paul II has consistently preached his vision of a Christian Europe stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Ural mountains. He is likely to regard the introduction of euro notes and coins as another instrument towards the realization of that dream.
The cable was sent on 2 January 2002.