Leaders of 27 European Union countries, except UK, are meeting in Italian capital Rome to celebrate 60 years since the Treaty of Rome was signed. The countries will sign a new declaration to honour the 1957 treaty, which paved the way for the bloc's foundation. In the new Declaration of Rome, the 27 countries are reaffirming their shared desire to continue with what is a greatly expanded and deepened union. <br/><br/>Pope Francis welcomed the leaders to the Vatican on the eve of the summit. In a speech, he said that all bodies risk dying if they do not look ahead, and thus urged the EU to approach the future with renewed vigour.<br/><br/>The original Treaty of Rome launched the European Economic Community, the EU's forerunner. It was signed by six countries Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany.