Pope calls on Europe to help combat ‘deceit and lies’ in international ties

Pope Leo XIV, speaking during a meeting titled "At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity," warned on Monday that international relations were growing increasingly uncivilised. The pontiff criticized the boasting of lies and deceit among nations and called on Europe to combat these issues and foster respect in global ties. Metz, a city near the German border where Leo concluded a four-day visit to France, was the setting for his address.

The pope, the first US pontiff, has frequently clashed with US President Donald Trump over immigration and foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Iran. Relations between individuals and states, Leo stated, are becoming increasingly uncivilised, with the value of keeping one's word being disregarded. He urged Europe to break this cycle through respect for others that it has learned to cultivate and preserve.

Europe, Leo argued, can act as a counterweight to major powers and help restore unity in pursuit of peace, particularly in Ukraine. As nationalist movements gain strength in Europe, Leo called for unity, urging countries to welcome and integrate the growing influx of refugees fleeing war and persecution. He emphasized the historical significance of this unprecedented encounter between peoples and cultures, urging Europe to rediscover its roots in creative ways while listening carefully to others.