Eurosceptics jump on Pope's cautious support for Poland to join EU

Pope John Paul gave his blessing on Monday to Poland's bid to join the European Union but urged his homeland not to give up its values and identity upon joining. Pope John Paul II saved his only remarks on the EU to the end of an emotional four-day visit, during which he warned against the evils of western-style secularism and paid homage to defenders of Poland's religious and national heritage. The papal endorsement fell short of the ringing vote of confidence Poland's leaders had hoped for as they prepare for an entry referendum next year. The support of the church would be crucial as support to join the EU is steadily falling. Eurosceptics, ranging from rural p opulists to the religious right, seized on the Pope's earlier silence to bolster their bid to overturn a three-to-one opinion poll lead in favor of joining the EU. "May the spirit of... authentic concern for our homeland reign among you," the 82-year-old Pontiff said in a farewell address at Krakow's Balice airport. He went on to say, "I hope that by cherishing those values the Polish nation, which has belonged to Europe for centuries, will find its due place in the structures of the European Union". In 1999 the Pope was blunter, telling the Polish Parliament, "The integration of Poland with the European Union has been supported by the Holy See from the be ginning". (Reuters)