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Pope urges Europe to counter political incivility with respect
In a speech in Metz on the final day of his France visit, Leo XIV called for peace and unity and urged Europe to draw on its Christian history.
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Event
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz
Pope Leo XIV urged Europe to remember its Christian history and promote peace and unity in a speech in Metz on the final day of his four-day visit to France. He said Europe could help counter growing incivility by respecting others.
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World
Leo XIV urges faith leaders to reject violence at Metz meeting
At an interfaith gathering on the final day of his France visit, the pope called for religious discourse to support peace. Religious representatives issued a joint appeal for dialogue.
World
Pope Leo XIV to make European unity the focus of Metz visit
The pontiff is due to conclude his France visit with a speech on Europe’s future, as French and other European leaders are expected to attend.
Background
Why this event matters
On the final day of his four-day France visit, Pope Leo XIV spoke in Metz about peace and European unity. He urged Europe to remember its Christian history and said respect for others could help counter growing incivility between people and states. He criticised dismissing the importance of keeping one’s word and boasting of “lies and deceit”. Related coverage says religious representatives made a joint appeal for dialogue at an interfaith meeting.
event-brief
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz
On the final day of his four-day France visit, Pope Leo XIV spoke in Metz about peace and European unity. He urged Europe to remember its Christian history and said respect for others could help counter growing incivility between people and states. He criticised dismissing the im
Reporting trail
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260928-replay-pope-urges-peace-and-unity-in-europe-on-final-day-of-france-visit | published 2026-09-28T10:49:23.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 International, supplied report | Reports the Metz speech and quotes the pope.Event digest | Summarises the speech and its setting.Retrieved context: SAME_EVENT and BACKGROUND_CARDS | Provides related event and programme details.France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260928-live-pope-leo-xiv-arrives-in-metz-for-final-stop-of-france-visit | published 2026-09-28T09:36:14.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 International liveblog | Main source for the pope’s remarks, event schedule and Macron attendance announcement.Event digest | Concise summary of the reported speech and afternoon Mass.Retrieved context: HISTORICAL_CONTEXT | Provides programme background and attributes the papacy interpretation to Pattenden.Retrieved context: BACKGROUND_CARDS | Contains unrelated Senate material; excluded.France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260928-pope-to-speak-on-united-eu-from-french-border-town | published 2026-09-28T01:18:09.000Z | primary sourceFrance 24 International, 28 September 2026 | Main report on the planned Metz speech, visit programme and France visit.Event digest | Concise summary of the planned Metz events; derived from the same event.Retrieved context: background cards | Context on the earlier Paris and Lourdes events; does not independently confirm the Metz programme.
Fact cards
entity brief
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz: key people and institutions
Key entities: Pope Leo XIV, Metz, France, Emmanuel Macron.
faq brief
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz: key questions
What did the pope call on Europe to do? Remember its Christian history and promote peace and unity. How did he say Europe could counter growing incivility? By respecting others. What was the joint appeal at the interfaith meeting? Religious representatives called for dialogue.
source brief
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz: reporting sources
France 24 International | https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260928-replay-pope-urges-peace-and-unity-in-europe-on-final-day-of-france-visit | published 2026-09-28T10:49:23.000Z | primary source | France 24 International, supplied report | Reports the Metz speech and quotes the
timeline brief
Pope Leo XIV to address European unity in Metz: timeline
2026-09-28: Leo XIV concluded his four-day France visit with a speech in Metz on Europe, peace and unity. 2026-09-28: At a related interfaith meeting, religious representatives issued a joint appeal for dialogue, according to related coverage.
Timeline
2026-09-28
Leo XIV concluded his four-day France visit with a speech in Metz on Europe, peace and unity.
2026-09-28
At a related interfaith meeting, religious representatives issued a joint appeal for dialogue, according to related coverage.
FAQ
What did the pope call on Europe to do?
Remember its Christian history and promote peace and unity.
How did he say Europe could counter growing incivility?
By respecting others.
What was the joint appeal at the interfaith meeting?
Religious representatives called for dialogue.
What did the pope say about religion and conflict?
He said religious discourse should help “disarm hearts and words” and must not legitimise violence or oppression.
What was the “Metz Appeal”?
A joint call by religious representatives for dialogue and peace.
Did Emmanuel Macron attend the Mass?
Yes. The Élysée Palace said he attended the afternoon Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
Why was the visit linked to European unity?
The programme listed an address titled “At the roots of Europe for peace and unity” at the Robert Schuman Convention Centre.
What is Pope Leo XIV expected to do in Metz?
Give a speech on Europe’s future and unity, take part in a city procession and celebrate Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Who is expected to attend the speech?
French President Emmanuel Macron and several European leaders.
Why is Metz relevant to the visit’s European theme?
The city has changed hands between France and Germany in past conflicts and is associated with Robert Schuman, an EU founding figure buried nearby.
How many people attended events in France before Metz?
The Vatican said more than 1.3 million people saw the pope across Paris and Lourdes from Friday to Sunday; the supplied material says this figure is not independently verified.