There's a new Pope in town and he's got very different ideas on what France's far-right calls the defense of Christian civilization. Leo the 14th concluding his trip to France in the eastern city of Metz, hometown of a founding father of present-day European federalism Maurice Schumann. There, the head of the world's largest organized religion proudly stated fact, that Europe’s roots are Christian, dating back to the Romans, all the while hailing an EU model that transcends 'us versus them' ideology, which brushes aside ‘might is right’ in favor of human rights and international law.
We’ll ask how about the schism with the likes of French presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen and the leader of her National Rally Jordan Bardella. How much does Leo's brand of Catholicism clash with the values of a eurosceptic far-right that continues to make inroads in France and just over the border in neighboring Germany? More broadly, how much of a moral authority can this Pope and this church be in 2026? During his four-day tour of France, Leo acknowledged the damage done by systemic abuse within the Church when he met with victims. Beyond that private meeting, he drew huge crowds. How will this moment be remembered?
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.
