Pope wraps up 'hugely successful' France visit with Metz speech
Pope Leo on Monday warned that relations between nations were becoming "increasingly uncivilised" with people boasting of "lies and deceit", and urged Europe to help "break this cycle"as he wrapped up what France 24's Angela Diffley says has been a "hugely successful" visit to France with a speech in Metz.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Leo XIV appeared together in Metz on the final day of the Pope's visit to France. Macron said Europe must rediscover the "courage of its founders" and not give in to the "resurgence of nationalism".
According to Euronews, there was a last-minute change to the Pope's schedule, with Macron attending the concluding mass before escorting the Pope at his departure ceremony.
The Pope, meanwhile, urged religious leaders to preach messages of peace and unity, recalling the forces of dialogue that contributed to Europe's post-World War II integration, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press. The Pope's visit had stirred enthusiasm among French Catholics, Le Monde English reported.
Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Euronews, Winnipeg Free Press, Le Monde English — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 4 other outlets
- REPLAY: France's Macron speaks on European Union as pope visits Metz france24.com
- Pope Leo XIV arrives in Metz to speak about European unity lemonde.fr
- Emmanuel Macron 'rearranges his schedule' to attend Pope Leo XIV's final mass in Metz euronews.com
- Pope heads to French city of Metz to speak on united Europe thelocal.fr
