Pope Leo XIV concluded a four-day visit to France on Monday with a series of speeches emphasizing Europe’s role in promoting peace, cooperation, and respect amid a global environment he described as increasingly uncivilized. Speaking in Metz, a city in northeastern France historically significant for European postwar reconciliation, the pope praised the efforts to unify Europe after World War II and highlighted the founding principles of the European Union as a model to resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than division.
The pope’s address, delivered at the Robert Schuman Center—named after the French statesman and EU founding father—called on Europe to draw upon its tradition of respect and mutual understanding to counter what he described as a world where “the value of keeping one’s word is dismissed” and where “people boast of lies and deceit.” While Leo did not directly name any political figures, observers widely interpreted his comments as a veiled critique of the Trump administration’s challenges to NATO, the European Union, and traditional European alliances. Over the past year, Pope Leo has issued warnings about the dangers of aggressive nationalism and invoked a universal message of peace that contrasts with the more confrontational policies of the U.S. president.
French President Emmanuel Macron was present during the pope’s speech and a Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz, marking a departure from his earlier decisions to avoid attending papal events in Paris. Macron praised the pope for defending European unity at a time when the continent faces significant threats. He warned of a resurgence of imperial ambitions and an “epidemic of disinformation” aimed at undermining democracy and fostering division among European states.
During his visit, Pope Leo also addressed ongoing conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, urging leaders to show courage in negotiations and to be willing to compromise for the sake of peace. He echoed broader calls for hospitality and compassion toward migrants, encouraging Europeans to welcome those fleeing war and persecution as part of their extended family. The pope’s visit included stops at a center for migrant integration and high-profile religious events attended by thousands, including a large Mass in Paris and prayers with young people outside the city.
In addition to his focus on international and social issues, the pope confronted sensitive moral topics. At the Lourdes pilgrimage site, he met with victims of clerical abuse and criticized France’s recent legalization of medically assisted dying, calling it a “temptation to cause death under the guise of false compassion.”
Though the pope's language avoided direct confrontation, his visit was seen by analysts as reinforcing his long-standing differences with President Trump’s policies, particularly those concerning immigration, multilateral cooperation, and conflict resolution. Maintaining a stance above partisan politics, Pope Leo conveyed messages centered on peace, human dignity, and bridge-building, which resonate across diverse audiences amid a turbulent global landscape.