Pope Leo XIV has praised multilateralism as “the best defence against the desire for dominance” in a speech in the French city of Metz, the birthplace of Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of European integration.
The pontiff lamented a world marked by conflict, from war and hunger to deteriorating personal relations, describing an “increasingly uncivilised” climate. He also criticised the “lies and deception” he said were fuelling growing distrust between citizens and governments.
Speaking in Schuman’s hometown, a city closely associated with European reconciliation, Leo said Europe could break this vicious cycle by reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and dialogue.
“Europe can break this cycle by upholding the principle of respect for others, which it has successfully cultivated and maintained, having demonstrably shown over the past eighty years that it is possible to express divergent opinions, demands, and interests through dialogue rather than confrontation,” he said.
The Pope delivered his address in French in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is due to attend a Mass with Leo later on Tuesday.
Although the Pope did not explicitly mention Russia’s war against Ukraine, he condemned what he qualified as a new “pointless massacre” on European soil.
“Unfortunately, war has resurfaced in Europe, resulting in countless civilian casualties every day,” he said, while adding that “courage” and “compromise” were required in the face of this.
“It is necessary to engage in patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiations, and to be willing to compromise on certain positions for the greater good of peace.”
He also warned against what he described as the “illusion” of rearmament.
“We must ask ourselves whether we are truly deploying ‘creative efforts’ to promote world peace, or whether we are simply trying to “stem the bleeding of war” and better prepare for those that we anticipate will come.”
Leo XIV also urged Europeans to remember the continent’s Christian roots, describing Europe as more than a geographical entity and instead a “cultural and historical reality”.
“We cannot speak of Europe, then, without mentioning Christianity,” he said, arguing that its traditions could coexist with efforts to shape the continent’s future.
Europe, he added, “has flourished and progressed when it was able to draw on the best aspects of its past and reinvent them in new and creative ways through encounter with others.”
Metz, a city steeped in European history
The choice of Metz as the venue for the Pope’s address was rich in European symbolism.
Located in France’s northeastern Lorraine region, close to the German border, the city is the birthplace of Robert Schuman, one of the founding figures of European integration.
But Metz’s history also reflects the conflicts that shaped modern Europe. The city changed hands several times between France and Germany and was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940, following France’s defeat and occupation.
The Élysée Palace said Monday’s programme was designed to highlight the “European and cross-border dimension” of Lorraine, a region at the crossroads of several countries with a shared and often painful history of war.
EU leaders and the heads of European institutions were invited to attend the event, although only a handful joined French President Emmanuel Macron, including representatives from Monaco, Andorra and Luxembourg.
The gathering also brought together representatives of different faiths, including France’s chief rabbi, Haïm Korsia, and Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris.