Pope Benedict the 16th will be retiring today from the Vatican, a difficult blow received by the Catholic Church, but also by the supporters of the European integrationism and globalization. The fact that several days have elapsed between the initial announcement and the resignation itself mitigated the shock and made the transition easier. Pope Benedict the 16th yesterday mentioned "the stormy waters" of his rule as a Pontiff, while saying that "God would not let the Church sink", during his last hearing in front of over 150,000 people gathered in the Saint Peter Square. "I am truly moved and I see the Church live", said the Pope, to the crowd's acclaim.
Recognized on an international level as a supporter of the political mega-structure that is the European Union, of European integrationism, the Pope is also close friend to the president of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy. Aside from the multiple questions this surprising retirement has caused, it is certain that the current European Union has received a serious blow, on top of the multiple shocks caused by the economic crisis. The effects will only be quantifiable in the long term. That is precisely why in the high level structures of the EU the election of the new Pontiff is awaited with increased interest. The relationship has been mutually friendly. In December 2012, the European Commission decided that the Vatican was not required to pay the taxes from which it was illegally exempted by Italy between 2006-2011, of several billion Euros, since recouping the money would have been almost impossible, the Independent announced.
"The Vatican has received an early Christmas present from the heads of the European Union", the British publication wrote. The EU Commissioner for Competition, Joaquin Almunia, said two years ago that exempting the Vatican in Italy from paying the taxes on thousands of pro
