Pope Leo urges Europe to stave off increased nationalism, barbaric relations

Pope Leo XIV called on European leaders to resist rising nationalism and commit to peace during a speech in Metz, France, on Sept. 28. Addressing French President Emmanuel Macron alongside political and clerical leaders at the Robert Schuman Conference Center, the pope urged the continent to choose cooperation and dialogue over conflict.

The pope cited the history of Metz, a city that changed hands between France and Germany during two world wars, as a symbol of the need for reconciliation. He specifically praised Robert Schuman, the Catholic politician who helped establish the foundations of the European Union by reconciling France and Germany after World War II. Pope Leo described Schuman as a leader who understood how to build multilateral institutions to overcome cultural divisions.

During his address, the pope noted that war has returned to Europe, describing current conflicts as a senseless slaughter that kills many civilians daily. He warned that such violence stems from the belief that nothing can stop the exercise of human power.