Vice-President of EU Parliament Visits Rome Italy Temple

Hon. Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament visited the Rome Italy Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. In her own words—she came “curious to understand what this beautiful building represents.”

Among her many responsibilities, Vice-President Sberna is also delegated by the European Parliament President, Hon. Roberta Metsola, to coordinate and facilitate the dialogue that supports the operational and policy aspects of engagement with religious actors within the framework of Article 17.

As part of her visit, Vice-President Sberna answered the following two questions:

Beyond what political institutions can do, what role do you believe religious organizations can play in building the future you describe?

“I often say this when I explain the nature of the dialogue provided for in Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Churches, religious organizations, and also non-confessional organizations can offer an essential contribution to the shaping of European policies. They safeguard a heritage of values, relationships, and responsibilities that no law or public program can replace.

The European continent is going through a complex phase: we are facing profound economic, technological, and geopolitical transformations, as well as a social and demographic crisis that raises questions about everyone's future. In this context, communities that live in close contact with local areas, citizens, and civil society as a whole play a valuable role in strengthening social bonds, supporting families, guiding young people, combating loneliness, and promoting a culture of solidarity between generations.

The future must necessarily be enriched by policies that foster innovation, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy, but we must also preserve the conditions that ensure socio-economic development takes place in harmony. When we shape the future, we must be able to convey hope, a sense of belonging, and trust. These elements originate first and foremost within families, local communities, and the intermediary bodies of society.

Article 17 recognizes precisely this value: European institutions and religious communities, while fully respecting their respective roles, are called to maintain an open, transparent, and regular dialogue in order to contribute to the development of thoughtful policies oriented toward the common good.

Ultimately, I believe that religious organizations have a valuable mission: to safeguard and transmit those values that enable a society to look to the future with confidence. Human dignity, the centrality of the family, solidarity between generations, and a sense of responsibility toward others and the wider community are principles that belong to the shared European heritage and can continue to guide our path in times of profound transformation.”

What did you find, and what will you take with you as a result of this visit to the Rome Temple?

“I must confess that for many years, whenever I passed through this area, I was curious to understand what this beautiful building represented. Today I had the opportunity to experience it in my institutional capacity, and I believe that the visit was, above all, an opportunity for encounter and listening. I found a community deeply committed to family life, the education of young people, service to others, and the building of strong social bonds.

As Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Article 17, I consider it particularly important to gain direct knowledge of the religious communities present in our societies. Authentic dialogue is born from mutual understanding and from a willingness to appreciate the contribution that each community can offer to the work carried out every day by European, national, regional, and local institutions.

Above all, I will take with me the awareness that, despite differences in traditions and spiritual paths, there are shared values capable of bringing our societies together. At a time when Europe is called to confront decisive challenges, it is encouraging to see a community that invests time and energy in the formation of individuals, in family cohesion, and in civic engagement.

This visit strengthens my conviction that the dialogue provided for in Article 17 is not a mere formal exercise, but a concrete tool for enhancing the contribution of communities to European life—one that can help institutions better understand the real needs of citizens and develop policies that are more attentive to individuals, families, and the present reality of our young people.”