Metz prepares security and cultural exhibits for Pope Leo XIV visit

Metz is preparing for a major security operation ahead of the visit of Pope Leo XIV on September 28. Authorities have announced the deployment of 6,300 personnel, including police, military, gendarmes, and civil security agents, to manage the event. An operational center consisting of 200 people will be established at the Metz prefecture to oversee the protection of people and property.

The visit is expected to draw over 50,000 attendees and several heads of state, including Emmanuel Macron. To ensure safety, 162 checkpoints will be established throughout the city, involving identity checks and searches. The historic city center will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7:00 to 19:00, allowing only pedestrians who can justify their presence, such as residents, workers, or pilgrims with tickets.

In conjunction with the visit, the Saint-Étienne Cathedral is unveiling a significant historical artifact: the ‘Charlemagne’s cope’. This eight-century-old silk and gold fabric, which dates back to the 13th century in Southern Italy, is being displayed in a newly renovated south crypt. The exhibition is intended to align with the papal visit's themes of peace, unity, and reconciliation.