Pope Leo wraps up France trip by urging Europe to blunt ‘desire for domination’ driving today’s wars
The pope said international law and dialogue are the best antidote to war as 35,000 people attended the final Mass, the Vatican said.
- On Monday, Pope Leo XIV concluded his four-day apostolic visit to France by celebrating Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Metz, urging reconciliation and forgiveness. He signed the guestbook, writing, "May the peace of God reign always in the city of Metz."
- Honoring French Catholic statesman Robert Schuman, Leo traveled to the eastern city to highlight the legacy of the European unity founder, who was declared "venerable" in 2021. The visit emphasized Schuman's commitment to international law and peaceful integration following World War II.
- An estimated 35,000 people attended the Mass, according to the Vatican press office. Pope Leo cited the cathedral's stained-glass windows by Jewish artist Marc Chagall as "an extraordinary symbol of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue," uniting different histories into a mosaic of peace.
- Vowing "unfailing" European support for Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron joined the pope at the Schuman event. Macron noted that the country aspires to join the European Union, positioning it as a "space of peace, security, democracy and prosperity."
- Leo urged Europe to rely on international law and multilateralism to blunt the "desire for domination" driving today's wars. He warned that relations between states are becoming "increasingly uncivilized," noting that the value of keeping one's word is dismissed in favor of deceit.
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The Pope left Metz for Rome after a visit marked by a strong speech. In his speech, he denounced the massacres linked to the war in Europe, a message that resonated with the 35,000 people present. Among them, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, who attended the ceremony. The Holy Father stressed the importance of peace. The Pope ended his stay with a press conference in flight, where he addressed crucial topics such as the end of life, abuses committe…
On Monday 28 September, the American pontiff closed a four-day visit to the Hexagon, marked by an undeniable popular success, an offensive tone on secularism and an attack on the end-of-life law.
Catholic Review
Wrapping up France visit, Pope Leo calls on Europe to choose reconciliation over division
Invoking the memory of a region marked by war and division, Pope Leo XIV called on humanity to let go of revenge and retaliation, and instead seek the path of reconciliation and peace.
Pope Leo XIV left for Rome on Monday evening after a historic four-day visit to France that sparked huge enthusiasm, an AFP journalist who was on the pope's plane said.
The "congedio" rite of formal separation between a head of state and his pontifical host marked the end of the Pope's journey to Rome on Monday evening.
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