Pope Leo XIV concludes French visit with Mass in Metz
Pope Leo XIV ended his four‑day pilgrimage across France with a Mass at Saint‑Étienne Cathedral in Metz. President Emmanuel Macron accompanied the pontiff to the airport after the service. In a speech at the Robert‑Schuman conference centre, the pope warned that war has resurfaced in Europe and urged countries to pursue dialogue, respect international law and integrate migrants with dignity.
European leaders, including Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, were present for the address. The visit has sparked renewed discussion about France’s laïcité principle and the pope’s role in European political debate.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 4h later
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
- Coverage peaked at 8 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
The conclusion of the papal tour highlights the pope’s influence on debates over secularism, European unity and the ongoing Ukraine conflict in France and beyond.
How this story developed
- Sep 15 Pope Leon XIV's French tour set for mostly sunny weather across three cities
- Sep 16 Seven victims of sexual abuse by clergy will meet the Pope in Lourdes, reaffirming their demands and refusing further media comments before the audience.
- Sep 25 Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris and began his four‑day visit with a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
- Sep 25 The Pope arrived at the Stade de France where a large gathering of young people greeted him, chanting and cheering as his papamobile circulated the field.
- Sep 26 Pope Leo XIV held an open‑air mass at Place de la Concorde attended by several French political figures, while President Emmanuel Macron was not present.
- Sep 26 A vespers service at Notre‑Dame attended by thousands of clergy was held as part of the papal itinerary.
- Sep 26 Hundreds of thousands gathered for the Mass, with numerous French political figures in attendance.
- Sep 27 The INIRR agency is closing to new submissions as a group of survivors prepares for a papal audience.
- Sep 27 Security deployment of 15,000 police and 17,000 volunteers and a €27 million budget were detailed for the mass.
- Sep 27 Pope Leo XIV urged French bishops to stay vigilant against clerical sexual abuse during a private audience in Lourdes.
- Sep 28 President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe in Metz to reclaim the bravery of its founders and resist a turn toward nationalism, echoing a parallel appeal from Pope Léon XIV.
- Sep 28 Pope Leo added calls for migrant integration and condemned rising defence spending.
- Sep 29 Pope Leo XIV concluded his French visit with a Mass in Metz attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
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