France visit
Pope warns against fear of the future
Updated on September 28, 2026 – 3:50 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Last day of Leo
Pope Leo XIV has appealed to Europe’s youth not to be discouraged by crises and conflicts in today’s world. “Don’t be afraid of the future!” warned the head of the Catholic Church in Metz on the last day of a visit to France. In a keynote speech on Europe, he also complained that the tone between states around the world and people among themselves had deteriorated.
“Today, human relations and relations between states are becoming more and more barbaric,” the pope said. “The word given is disregarded. Instead, lies and deceit are gloried in.” Leo did not mention any politicians or countries by name. What is known, for example, is that the first pope came from the USA with US President Donald Trump share a difficult relationship.
Pope: Europe should put an end to the “downward spiral”.
In the presence of France Head of State Emmanuel Macron He appealed to Europeans to put an end to this “downward spiral” with their own efforts. “Over the last 80 years, Europe has impressively proven that it is possible to assert different opinions, demands and interests by meeting each other instead of fighting each other.” Now it’s about finding your way back to the roots of your values and about a “creative rediscovery.”
Leo chose Metz as the last stop on his trip to France because one of the founding fathers of the European Union was at home there: the French politician Robert Schuman (1886-1963) laid in the years after Second World War as Foreign Minister laid the foundations for today’s EU. On the first two legs of his journey in Paris and Lourdes, Leo had been celebrated at open-air services by more than a million people, many of them young people.
Leo speaks to Europeans’ consciences
The Pope also used his appearance in Metz to speak to Europeans’ consciences about their treatment of refugees. He warned against isolation. “Serious reception and integration processes” must be found for refugees from war and poverty. “Taking someone in means integrating them like a family member and offering them the opportunity to develop their talents, abilities and personality.” For the newcomer, this also means “fitting in with the spirit of the house”.
