Pope urges Europe to help combat 'lies and deceit' in world affairs
METZ, France: Pope Leo XIV warned on Monday that relations between nations were becoming increasingly uncivilised with people boasting of “lies and deceit“, urging Europe to help break the spiral and foster respect in international ties.
Pope Leo XIV cautioned on Monday that global relations were becoming increasingly uncivilized as people boast about lies and deceit. Addressing an audience in Metz, France, near the border with Germany, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics did not name any world leaders. Europe, he argued, should act as a counterweight to major powers and unite to foster respect in international ties. The pope has previously urged the European Union to overcome tensions and rediscover unity in pursuit of peace.
The value of keeping one's word is being dismissed, and people are boasting of lies and deceit instead, Pope Leo said in French. Europe can help break this cycle through respect for others, he added. Metz, a city associated with Robert Schuman, a founder of the European Union, has a history of conflicts between France and Germany. The pope's visit to France, the first in nearly two decades, has been marked by warmth and engagement with crowds.
Pope Leo urged courage in negotiation and compromise to end war on the continent, a reference to Russia's war against Ukraine. He appealed for unity as nationalist movements gain strength in Europe, and France's anti-immigration far right hopes to win the next presidential election. The pontiff emphasized the historical significance of the current encounter between peoples and cultures, urging European countries to welcome refugees fleeing war and persecution.
While in Metz, Pope Leo visited St. Stephen's Cathedral and celebrated mass alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. He also rode in his popemobile through the city, reflecting on the importance of reconciliation after world wars. The visit has generated excitement among Catholics, regardless of religious affiliation, with many expressing gratitude for the positive energy brought to a tense context.
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