France, Grand Est: Pope Leo XIV visits Metz to highlight European unity, peace and shared values amid growing political tensions
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Metz on Monday, September 28, bringing his four-day visit to France into its final and distinctly European phase. The northeastern city provides an important setting for his message about unity, peace and Europe’s future.
Metz has repeatedly stood at the intersection of French and German history, changing national hands during periods of conflict. Its location and past have made the city a symbolic venue for discussing reconciliation, cooperation and the political foundations of contemporary Europe.
The pope is expected to focus his address on what he describes as Europe’s roots, while stressing the importance of maintaining unity across a continent facing political disagreements, growing nationalist movements and continuing security concerns.
A major element of his message will be Europe’s response to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The conflict, now entering its fifth year, has placed sustained pressure on European governments while continuing to shape debates about security, sovereignty and international cooperation.
Metz also has a direct connection with European integration through Robert Schuman, one of the figures widely regarded as a founding father of the European project. Schuman is buried near the city, giving the pope’s visit additional historical significance.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to participate in the day’s events, while several European figures are also expected to attend. Among them are Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, adding a broader diplomatic dimension to the gathering.
Leo’s appearance in Metz comes only months before France is due to hold its next presidential election. The approaching political contest is expected to feature intense debate over immigration, France’s relationship with Europe and the direction of the country.
The pope’s comments therefore arrive during a politically sensitive period, although his broader European message extends beyond French electoral politics. He has repeatedly presented cooperation among European nations as important to addressing conflict and maintaining peace.
Leo has previously called for European countries to overcome internal disagreements and strengthen their common purpose. His vision places Europe as a potential counterweight to major global powers while emphasizing diplomacy, solidarity and the pursuit of peaceful solutions.
The European Union has faced several significant divisions during recent years. Migration and refugee policies have generated political disagreements, while Britain’s departure from the bloc and differing approaches toward Russia have also tested the cohesion of member states.
The pope’s appeal for unity is also connected to his personal family history. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, served in the United States Navy and experienced the Second World War, including participation in the Allied landings in Normandy.
That history has contributed to Leo’s repeated emphasis on peace and the consequences of armed conflict. During his pontificate, he has frequently highlighted reconciliation, coexistence and the responsibility of political leaders to prevent further suffering.
Beyond the political symbolism, the French visit has generated considerable enthusiasm among Catholics. France has a deeply rooted Catholic heritage despite its strongly secular public culture, making the pope’s arrival a significant religious event for many communities.
Metz, a city of roughly 120,000 residents, has experienced a noticeable surge of interest surrounding the papal visit. Hotels have reported being fully booked, while restaurants have seen increased demand as visitors arrive for the historic occasion.
According to Vatican figures, more than 1.3 million people gathered to see Leo during the earlier stages of his French journey. Large crowds appeared in Paris and Lourdes, demonstrating the scale of public interest surrounding the first official papal visit to France in almost two decades.
One of the largest gatherings occurred in Paris on Saturday, when Leo travelled through the Champs-Elysées in his popemobile before celebrating Mass for an estimated 800,000 people.
Security measures transformed central Paris during the event, while large crowds gathered along the route to see the pope. Leo appeared relaxed and approachable, repeatedly greeting supporters, blessing children and interacting with people with disabilities.
His public appearances have contributed to an image of a pontiff emphasizing warmth and dialogue. The atmosphere surrounding his French journey has combined traditional Catholic devotion with broader discussions about peace, technology, social responsibility and Europe’s future.
Artificial intelligence has also featured prominently in Leo’s message during the trip. He has warned against allowing technological progress to diminish human dignity, cautioning that society should not pursue a technological ideal at the expense of humanity.
The pope’s remarks reflect one of the wider priorities emerging from his pontificate: ensuring that technological development remains connected to human values. Artificial intelligence, in his view, raises questions extending beyond innovation into ethics, employment and social relationships.
His French visit has therefore combined several themes that reach beyond traditional religious diplomacy. Peace, European cooperation, technological responsibility and protection of vulnerable people have all appeared alongside his meetings with Catholic communities.
On Sunday, Leo travelled to Lourdes, one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations. There, he met people affected by clerical sexual abuse and addressed the continuing consequences of abuse within the Catholic Church.
The pope urged French bishops to confront what he described as a deeply painful problem. His meeting with survivors placed accountability and pastoral responsibility alongside the spiritual elements that have dominated much of his French itinerary.
In Metz, however, attention will return strongly to Europe and its political future. The pope’s address is expected to connect the continent’s historical experiences with present challenges, including war, political fragmentation and questions surrounding European solidarity.
His choice of Metz reinforces that historical argument. A city shaped by conflict between France and Germany now stands within a European framework designed to prevent such rivalries from returning, making it a natural setting for a message about cooperation.
The pope’s presence also brings together religious and political symbolism. Macron’s participation, alongside European representatives and thousands of Catholic faithful, demonstrates how the visit extends beyond a conventional religious ceremony into a broader conversation about Europe’s identity.
Later Monday, Leo is expected to travel through Metz in an open-top popemobile before celebrating Mass at Saint-Etienne Cathedral. The Gothic landmark will provide the setting for the religious culmination of his French journey.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are expected to attend the service, placing France’s political leadership alongside the Catholic faithful. The event will conclude a visit that has combined public celebrations with discussions about major European and global issues.
As Leo leaves France, his message is likely to remain focused on cooperation rather than political alignment. His intervention comes at a moment when Europe faces competing pressures from war, nationalism, migration disputes and rapidly changing international relationships.
For the pope, the challenge is not simply preserving European institutions but reinforcing the shared principles behind them. Metz, with its complicated history and connection to Schuman, offers a powerful backdrop for that argument.
The visit ultimately places Leo XIV at the intersection of faith, history and contemporary European affairs. His final French appearance is expected to underline his belief that peace and cooperation remain essential to Europe’s future.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members