God understands more about the financial markets than many who write about them.

During our religious instruction in school, we always asked: How can one prove the existence of God? And I have learned that the Catholic Church, which is never at a loss for an answer when it comes to existential questions, responds as follows: This question simply does not arise.

I notice with a certain sense of regret that far too many Europeans are returning to a regional and national mindset.

With their charm and legendary sense of humor, the British directly or indirectly paved the way for a large number of European compromises.

Now it is firstly a matter of a clean divorce, because citizens and companies need legal certainty. Can there be a new partnership with the United Kingdom one day? All 27 Member States would have to agree to that. And the United Kingdom would first have to reflect on what it wants itself.

Germany will continue to play a central - perhaps even a more important - role in the European Union. I think that we will all miss the pragmatic approach of the British, however, particularly in those long nights of negotiation.

Anyone who believes that the eternal question of war and peace in Europe is no longer there risks being deeply mistaken.