РАНИ МИНУЛОГО СТАЮТЬ ЩІЛИНАМИ, КРІЗЬ ЯКІ ПРОНИКАЄ СВІТЛО – СВЯТІШИЙ ОТЕЦЬ ПАПА ЛЕВ XIV.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass for peace and justice at Saint Stephen Cathedral in Metz on Monday, September 28, 2026. This Mass served as the final event of the Pope's apostolic journey to France.

During the liturgy, the Pope stated that the cathedral teaches how God's light unites different histories and cultures into a mosaic of peace rather than destroying unique identities. He noted that such unity is necessary during times of new divisions and conflicts.

The cathedral's history reflects the shifting borders of Metz, which changed between French and German control for 75 years before returning to France in 1945. The Pope connected this history to Robert Schuman, a servant of God and architect of a united Europe, who lived in Metz and served as a member of parliament for the Moselle department. Schuman, whose heroic virtues were recognized by Pope Francis in 2021, was the son of a Lotharingian father and a Luxembourgish mother.