Pope Leo wraps up France trip by urging Europe to blunt ‘desire for domination’ driving today’s wars
The pope urged Europe to choose reconciliation over revenge as an estimated 35,000 people attended Mass in the cathedral and surrounding streets.
- On Monday, Pope Leo XIV concluded his four-day apostolic visit to France by celebrating Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Metz, urging reconciliation and forgiveness. He signed the guestbook, writing, "May the peace of God reign always in the city of Metz."
- Honoring French Catholic statesman Robert Schuman, Leo traveled to the eastern city to highlight the legacy of the European unity founder, who was declared "venerable" in 2021. The visit emphasized Schuman's commitment to international law and peaceful integration following World War II.
- An estimated 35,000 people attended the Mass, according to the Vatican press office. Pope Leo cited the cathedral's stained-glass windows by Jewish artist Marc Chagall as "an extraordinary symbol of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue," uniting different histories into a mosaic of peace.
- Vowing "unfailing" European support for Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron joined the pope at the Schuman event. Macron noted that the country aspires to join the European Union, positioning it as a "space of peace, security, democracy and prosperity."
- Leo urged Europe to rely on international law and multilateralism to blunt the "desire for domination" driving today's wars. He warned that relations between states are becoming "increasingly uncivilized," noting that the value of keeping one's word is dismissed in favor of deceit.
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Where wars once raged in Europe, Pope Leo now calls for peace. He sees Europe as a model for reconciliation between enemies.
Leon XIV denounced "human relations, and between States, more and more barbaric"
Metz (France), 28 Sep (EFE).- Pope Leon XVI called this Monday peace, so "necessary in our time, whipped by new divisions and new conflicts", in his homily at the Mass he celebrated at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Metz, the last stage of his journey to France, and finally attended by President Emmanuel Macron. "Peace, which is the gift of God, demands an answer from men in a shared effort", said the pope in the cathedral of this border city with G…
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The Catholic SunWrapping up France visit, Pope Leo calls on Europe to choose reconciliation over division
Invoking the memory of a region marked by war and division, Pope Leo XIV called on humanity to let go of revenge and retaliation, and instead seek the path of reconciliation and peace. The post Wrapping up France visit, Pope Leo calls on Europe to choose reconciliation over division first appeared on OSV News.
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