METZ, France (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged Europe on Monday to draw from its Christian roots and tradition of dialogue to address the 'desire for domination' driving contemporary wars, as he concluded a visit to France by reflecting on the factors that contributed to the continent's peaceful integration. Leo visited Metz, near the borders of Luxembourg and Germany, to honor Robert Schuman, a French Catholic statesman recognized as one of the founding fathers of European unity after World War II.
Leo chose to end his four-day visit in Metz, at a conference center named after Schuman, to emphasize his message. He called for Europe to utilize its Christian foundations and traditions to confront wars and other conflicts, including Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as migration challenges.
'Over the past 80 years, Europe has amply demonstrated that it is possible to articulate divergent opinions, claims and interests through encounter rather than conflict,' he stated.
'We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace,' he added, without specifying particular conflicts or positions.
The Élysée Palace, the French presidential office, had invited all European Union heads of state and leaders of European institutions to the conference, but only a few, including representatives from Monaco, Andorra, and Luxembourg, attended alongside President Emmanuel Macron.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen in Metz on Monday, a city with a history of conflict that was part of Nazi Germany during the war. The cathedral, completed in 1522, is a notable example of French Gothic architecture, featuring stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall, a 20th-century Jewish artist.
In his homily, Leo remarked that Metz and its surroundings have witnessed evil but now 'bear witness to the whole world that reconciliation is only possible when one has the courage to break the chains of resentment.' He described the cathedral's stained-glass windows as 'an extraordinary symbol of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue,' emphasizing that God's light unites diverse histories and cultures into a 'single marvelous mosaic of peace.'
Macron joined Leo on stage at the Schuman event, reiterating 'unfailing' European support for Ukraine, which aspires to join the EU, and emphasizing the need for security and values in Europe.
Leo praised Schuman's commitment to international law in promoting peaceful integration, indirectly referencing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other military actions outside the international legal framework. He stated that international law and multilateralism are the best means to counter the desire for domination, which underlies conflicts.
He expressed concern that relations between states are becoming 'increasingly uncivilized,' lamenting that the value of keeping one's word is often disregarded.
When asked if Leo had entered the European political debate, the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, clarified that the pope was preaching Catholic morals and that any political conclusions drawn were at the discretion of others.