WorldPosted at: Sep 28 2026 7:42PM


Pope Leo XIV urges European leaders to defend multilateralism during address at Metz

Metz, Sep 28 (UNI) Giving a speech from the French city of Metz, Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to defend the international rules-based order and praised multilateralism as "the best defence against the desire for dominance."
Speaking from the birthplace of Robert Schuman, one of the primary architects of the European Union, the American-born Pope warned of a world increasingly marked by war, hunger, deteriorating relationships and what he described as an "increasingly uncivilised" climate. He also criticised the "lies and deception" he said were driving growing distrust between citizens and governments.
"Europe can break this cycle by upholding the principle of respect for others, which it has successfully cultivated and maintained, having demonstrably shown over the past eighty years that it is possible to express divergent opinions, demands, and interests through dialogue rather than confrontation," Leo said.
The Pope delivered the address in French in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. He did not explicitly refer to Russia's war in Ukraine, but condemned what he called a new "pointless massacre" on European soil and urged countries to pursue negotiations.
"It is necessary to engage in patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiations, and to be willing to compromise on certain positions for the greater good of peace," he said.
Leo also urged Europeans to acknowledge the continent's Christian heritage, calling Europe a "cultural and historical reality" rather than just a geographical entity.
"We cannot speak of Europe, then, without mentioning Christianity," he said, arguing that Europe had advanced when it drew on elements of its past while also adapting through engagement with others.
"Europe has flourished and progressed when it was able to draw on the best aspects of its past and reinvent them in new and creative ways through encounter with others," he said.
Metz was chosen for the address because of its links to European reconciliation and integration. Situated in the northeastern Lorraine region near the German border, the city was the birthplace of Schuman and has a history shaped by conflict between France and Germany. Metz changed hands several times between the two countries and was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1940.
The Élysée Palace said the programme was intended to highlight the "European and cross-border dimension" of Lorraine, a region shaped by a shared history of conflict and cooperation.
Leaders of the EU and heads of European institutions were invited to attend, although only a limited number joined Macron, including representatives from Monaco, Andorra and Luxembourg. Representatives of different faiths were also present, including France's chief rabbi Haïm Korsia and Chems-Eddine Hafiz, rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris.
UNI ANV CDS
Tags: #Pope Leo XIV urges European leaders to defend multilateralism during address at Metz
More News

Iranian FM Abbas Aragchi due to meet Qatari mediators in New York

28 Sep 2026 | 11:14 PM

Tehran, Sep 28 (UNI) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi is due to meet Qatari representatives in New York on Monday, amid Tehran's bid to end the war and forward its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

see more..

Trump administration asks US SC to lift block on transgender inmate care restrictions

28 Sep 2026 | 11:11 PM

Washington, Sep 28 (UNI) The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to lift a lower-court block on a Bureau of Prisons policy that would restrict transgender inmates' access to hormone treatment, gender-affirming surgery and certain social accommodations.

see more..

28 Sep 2026 | 9:50 PM

Washington, Sep 28 (UNI) US President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to a record low of 37%, the lowest for an American president heading into a midterm election in Wall Street Journal polling dating back to 1990, according to a new survey released weeks before the November vote.

see more..

SpaceX's next-gen Starship completes major milestone as it reaches Earth orbit

28 Sep 2026 | 9:21 PM

Starbase, Sep 28 (UNI) SpaceX's Starship completed a major milestone on Monday as it reached Earth's orbit for the first time, marking a significant development in the company's next-generation launch system despite an engine shutdown during the flight.

see more..

Pope Leo XIV urges European leaders to defend multilateralism during address at Metz

28 Sep 2026 | 7:42 PM

Metz, Sep 28 (UNI) Giving a speech from the French city of Metz, Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to defend the international rules-based order and praised multilateralism as "the best defence against the desire for dominance.".

see more..