Pope Leo: Europe Must Return to its Christian Roots and Be Open to Migrants

Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to rediscover the continent's Christian heritage and engage with people from different cultures during a speech in Metz, France, on Monday. Speaking at the Robert Schuman Conference Center on the final day of his visit to France, the pope described the current presence of immigrants as an unprecedented encounter between peoples that requires listening to others.

The pope encouraged Europe to facilitate the safe and legal entry of migrants and to integrate them into communities as if they were family members. He stated that the universal values founding Europe make dialogue possible and can create a foundation for peace and a reconciled world.

The event, titled To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity, took place in a city linked to Robert Schuman, a Catholic statesman and founding father of the European Union.