The Europe of Leo XIV

Letta also addressed the news of the day. “This conclave is very important because it has more non-European cardinals than European ones; that's the positive change, the idea that the Church is universal,” he emphasized. He added that he likes the name of the new Pontiff, since “Leo XIII was a great Pope at the beginning of modernity,” and that his choice came on the fourth ballot is a sign of the Church's unity.

There were references to the new Pontiff, but they were a side note, as the event focused on Europe, which is seeking to launch its own white smoke, with greater unity and autonomy.

That is Letta's central proposal: to promote European integration. This was also emphasized by Josep Antoni Duran Lleida, who shares a close friendship with the author, which goes beyond the Christian Democrat ties. He asserted that Letta's recommendations gain relevance after Donald Trump's victory in the United States. In this regard, he said it is necessary, as Letta does, to update Delors' thesis of the single market, as the world has changed a great deal. "But what Enrico proposes is not a radical change but a radicalness in change," he said.

Among those attending were Ministers Jaume Duch (European Union and Foreign Affairs), who closed the event, and Ramon Espadaler (Justice), as well as former mayor Narcís Serra and the presidents of Banc Santander, Josep Oliu, and the Cercle d'Economia, Jaume Guardiola.

Journalist Marta García Aller, who led the discussion with the former Italian prime minister, emphasized that the book is entertaining and full of anecdotes. "It covers 27 countries, more than 400 interviews, and intimate reflections, and as a journalist, I appreciate access to that way of doing politics," she said.

"The book is about ideas, the fruit of a collective debate," said the author, who defended the idea of ​​Europe "as a project under construction," which "needs technological, financial, and energy independence," citing the blackouts in Spain and Portugal to illustrate the vulnerability.

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In closing, Jaume Duch was optimistic. “It seems that Europe wants to take the initiative and do things together, but we need maps and political will. We have the maps, the Letta report is one of them, and we'll soon see if there's the will,” he emphasized.