🎥 Pope to speak on European unity on last day of France visit
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Metz to speak on the future of Europe on the final day of his visit to France.
Metz, a northeastern city that repeatedly changed hands between France and Germany in past conflicts, is closely associated with Robert Schuman, considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who is buried just outside Metz.
FRANCE 24’s Luke Shrago in Metz and Douglas Herbert in the studio take a look at what’s on the agenda.
Pope Leo XIV rejects all violence in the name of religion
Pope Leo XIV stated that “religious discourse” must help “disarm hearts and words” during a meeting with representatives of various religions in Metz.
“Invoking the name of God to legitimize violence or oppression is a desecration of that name. Nothing that distorts human dignity can claim to be authentically inspired by God,” the pope said.
“Religious discourse must constantly call for the disarmament of hearts and words. This is the direct responsibility of each of us, as guardians of our respective traditions,” continued Léon XIV. He spoke after the reading of the “Metz Appeal,” a joint declaration by representatives of religious communities in France calling for interreligious dialogue and peace.
🎥 Leo building on Francis's legacy while reincorporating 'more traditional elements of papal activity'
FRANCE 24's Erin Ogunkeye speaks with Miles Pattenden, historian of the Catholic Church at the University of Oxford.
For Pattenden, Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France is part of a broader recalibration of the papacy. While Pope Francis placed particular emphasis on the Catholic Church’s peripheries and the needs of the Global South, Leo is subtly bringing the Church’s historic European heartlands back into focus.
France is especially significant in this regard, given its deep historical relationship with Catholicism and its evolving relationship with Christianity, European identity, secularism and contemporary geopolitical debates.
Leon XIV arrives in Metz, the third and final stop of his France visit
Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Metz, the third and final stop on his visit to France, where he is scheduled to speak on peace and Europe.
The American pope, who is to be welcomed by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, is expected at the Robert Schuman Convention Center, where he will deliver a speech at 11:00am in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a Mass this afternoon at Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
Macron will attend the pope's Mass in Metz
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Metz and will participate in the ceremony marking the pontiff’s departure from France, the Élysée Palace announced.
“The President of the Republic will attend the farewell ceremony for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as he departs French territory,” the French presidency said. “To that end, he has rearranged his schedule to also attend the preceding Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz,” it added.
The Pope's program in Metz today
Here are the highlights of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Metz on Monday, the fourth and final day of his trip to France.
9:20am – Arrival at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport after taking off from Lourdes at 7:40am
10:00am – Interfaith meeting at the Robert Schuman Convention Center
11:00am – Speech titled “At the roots of Europe for peace and unity” in the auditorium of the Robert Schuman Convention Center.
2:30pm – Procession in the popemobile to the cathedral
4:00pm – Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral
7:00pm – Departure for Rome from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport
Good morning!
Welcome to our liveblog on Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France.
Today the pope is visiting the northeastern city of Metz. For a look back on his visit to the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, read our coverage below:
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
