Pope Benedict has said Europeans would work actively for the EU when they saw and experienced personally that it promoted human rights from conception to natural death.
Beginning a four-day visit to France - which holds the rotating EU presidency - he also told dignitaries his greatest concern was that young people should be encouraged to respect and help others.
Arriving at Orly Airport in Paris, the German Pope was greeted by President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife Carla Bruni and members of the French hierarchy.
At the Élysée Palace he met Mr Sarkozy privately before addressing government ministers and other dignitaries.
He told them Europeans would work actively for the EU when they saw and experienced personally that it promoted inalienable human rights to free education, to family life and to work as well as religious rights.
This, he explained, would allow them understand fully the greatness of the EU project.
He said his greatest concern was that young people should be soundly educated and encouraged to respect and help others if they are to develop serenely towards an age of responsibility.
He also expressed concern for the surreptitious widening of the gap between rich and poor in the West and the state of the planet.
Later, the Pontiff will deliver a keynote address to hundreds of intellectuals, researchers and artists before praying with thousands of people at Notre Dame Cathedral.
Tomorrow the Pope travels to Lourdes to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions there.
