Peace in Europe is impossible without courage in negotiations and a readiness to relinquish certain positions for the greater good. Meanwhile, military buildup does not bring an end to wars closer, but merely prepares the ground for new conflicts. This position was voiced by Pope Leo XIV while addressing European leaders in the French city of Metz on September 28, 2026.
The Symbolism of Metz and the Call for Compromise
The pontiff's speech took place on the final day of his four-day visit to France. The location was chosen intentionally: Metz is the hometown of Robert Schuman, one of the key architects of the European Union. The first American Pope in history delivered his speech in French, and leaders in the hall gave him a standing ovation. The pontiff directly pointed to the return of war to Europe, calling it a new senseless slaughter that claims countless civilian lives daily.
Rejection of Militarization and Criticism of the Arms Race
Although the Pope did not explicitly mention the war in Ukraine, a significant part of his keynote speech was dedicated to it. He urged the parties to compromise, drawing on the historical appeal made by Pope Benedict XV in 1917 during World War I. Leo XIV also harshly criticized the rise in European military budgets, which over the past year have increased the most since the end of the Cold War, largely driven by external pressures and Russia's aggressive behavior.
Migration Policy and the Crisis of Multilateral Diplomacy
Standing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, the pontiff touched upon the integration of migrants, urging European leaders to provide them with development opportunities and combat human trafficking. Earlier, at the start of his trip, he warned of a deep crisis within international institutions, including the UN. These initiatives come against the backdrop of recent high-level diplomatic contacts, including leadership meetings in New York and the search for energy de-escalation pathways.
