Pope Leo XIV Ends France Visit in Metz with Call for European Unity
Pope Leo XIV concluded his four-day trip with an interfaith meeting and Mass in Metz, joined by President Macron, urging Europe to rediscover its founding ideals amid war's return.
KEY POINTS
- Pope Leo XIV concluded a four-day visit to France in Metz on September 28, 2026.
- The Pope delivered speeches on interfaith dialogue and European unity at the Robert Schuman Centre.
- President Macron attended the final Mass and events, reversing a prior refusal to join religious ceremonies.
- Macron warned that war has returned to Europe and called for the courage of the EU's founding fathers.
- The Pope departed for Rome from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport at 19:00 local time.
Pope Leo XIV traveled to Metz on Monday for the final day of his four-day visit to France, following stops in Paris and Lourdes that drew large crowds. The pontiff chose the border city, marked by three wars and two annexations, to deliver a message on peace and the Christian roots of Europe.
At the Robert Schuman Convention Centre, the Pope addressed an interfaith gathering and a session titled "At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity." He urged the continent to rediscover the foundations of its creation to restore peace amid major geopolitical tensions.
“War has returned to our continent... Europe must rediscover the courage of its founders and not yield to isolationism and the return of nationalisms.”
President Emmanuel Macron reversed an earlier decision to skip papal Masses, attending the afternoon ceremony at Saint-Etienne Cathedral. Macron thanked the Pope "from the bottom of my heart" and warned that war has returned to Europe, urging the EU to regain the courage of its founders.
The visit concluded with a papamobile procession through Metz and a final Mass at the Gothic cathedral at 4:00 PM. The Pope departed for Rome from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport at 7:00 PM.
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