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

Pope Leo XIV has called on Europe to help foster respect in international ties, warning that relations between nations are becoming increasingly uncivilised. Speaking in Metz, France, he criticised the prevalence of "lies and deceit" in international relations, saying that the value of keeping one's word is being dismissed.

The Pope's comments came during a meeting attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has also urged Europe to rediscover the "courage" of its founders and resist a return to nationalisms. The Pope's visit to France was a four-day trip that drew crowds of French Catholics.

The Pope also made a strong statement on the war in Ukraine, calling on European leaders to be willing to give up certain positions for the sake of peace. He emphasised the need for patient dialogue and courage in negotiation, and warned against the continent's rearmament. According to The National UAE, French President Emmanuel Macron approved a defence budget increase of €6.5 billion over the next two years.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Euronews, The National UAE, Le Monde English, France 24 — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.