Metz municipal subsidy for papal visit challenged in court

Two secular associations, L'Union des familles laïques (Ufal) de Moselle and Les Profanes, have filed a legal challenge with the Strasbourg administrative court against a municipal subsidy provided by the City of Metz for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV.

The subsidy, totaling approximately 250,000 euros, is intended to fund equipment such as giant screens for fan zones to broadcast the mass held at the Metz Cathedral on September 28. The associations have requested an emergency suspension procedure to block the purchase of this equipment while the court reviews the legality of the funding.

The legal dispute centers on whether public funds should finance equipment directly linked to a religious ceremony. However, the City of Metz noted that the 1905 law regarding the separation of Church and State does not apply in the Moselle and Alsace regions, allowing local authorities to fund religious activities. Mayor François Grosdidier defended the expenditure, describing the papal visit as a “world event” and an immense honor for the city.