Pope Leo XIV calls for European unity and peace in Metz FAST-MOVING

Pope Leo XIV European unity Metz Appeal international law peace negotiations

Pope Leo XIV concluded his four-day apostolic visit to France in Metz, delivering a series of high-profile addresses focused on European unity, peace, and the role of religion in society. At the Robert Schuman Conference Center, the Pope emphasized the need for Europe to rediscover its foundational values and avoid the rise of nationalism. He warned against the ‘illusion of rearmament,’ questioning whether increased military spending truly fosters peace or merely prepares for future conflicts.

Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Pope described it as a ‘senseless slaughter’ and urged European leaders to show courage in negotiations, even if it requires sacrificing certain political positions to achieve peace. He advocated for the use of international law and multilateralism as the primary tools to combat deteriorating interstate relations, which he characterized as increasingly ‘barbaric’ and marked by deceit.

In Metz, the Pope also participated in an interreligious gathering where leaders from various faiths signed the ‘Metz Appeal,’ a commitment to fraternity and reconciliation. Additionally, during a stop in Lourdes, he issued a strong condemnation of abortion and euthanasia, urging healthcare workers to protect human dignity rather than eliminating life under the guise of ‘false compassion.’

French President Emmanuel Macron attended the final ceremonies in Metz, echoing the Pope’s call for Europe to find the courage of its founders to resist division and maintain its sovereignty and democratic values.

Entities

Emmanuel Macron · European Union · Metz · Pope Leo XIV · Robert Schuman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The war has reappeared in Europe. www.lapresse.it · rr.pt · www.dn.pt · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it
[● 4 SOURCES] The current push toward increased military spending is an 'illusion of rearmament'. www.notizie.it · rr.pt · quotidianodigela.it · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it
[● 4 SOURCES] International law and multilateralism are the best antidotes to the desire for dominance. www.lapresse.it · www.notizie.it · www.dn.pt · www.ilfattoquotidiano.it
[● 3 SOURCES] He urged European youth not to be afraid of the future. www.op-online.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de
[● 3 SOURCES] He called for a 'creative rediscovery' of Europe's roots. www.op-online.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de
[● 9 SOURCES] Human and state relations are becoming increasingly barbaric. www.lapresse.it · www.op-online.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de · rr.pt · www.volksfreund.de · +4 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Representatives of various faiths signed the Metz Declaration to promote unity and peace. radio.ognjisce.si
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Pope stated that Europe should be willing to sacrifice certain positions to achieve peace. www.dn.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 700,000 people attended the Pope's open-air mass in Paris.
[● 2 SOURCES] Europe should be understood primarily as a cultural and historical reality rather than just a geographic one. chrystus.co.pl · misyjne.pl
[● 5 SOURCES] Negotiators must be willing to make concessions to achieve peace in Europe. srnnews.com · www.dn.pt · www.dnoticias.pt · www.estadao.com.br
[● 6 SOURCES] International law and multilateralism are the best defenses against the desire for domination. whdh.com · notiziedi.it · dev.tnonline.com.br · www.dn.pt · www.dnoticias.pt · +1 more