POPE Leo on Monday arrived in a French border city to speak on the future of Europe, giving a distinctly political dimension to a landmark visit to France that has sparked scenes of spiritual jubilation.
The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics wraps up his four-day trip with a visit to Metz, a northeastern city that repeatedly changed hands between France and Germany in past conflicts.
The city is closely associated with Robert Schuman, considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who is buried just outside Metz.
The first US pontiff was expected to speak on the “roots of Europe” and the importance of unity on a continent where nationalist movements are gaining strength and Russia’s war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, shows no sign of abating.
President Emmanuel Macron was also to speak and a handful of European leaders including Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene were set to attend.
Later in the day the pope will ride his opentop popemobile through Metz and celebrate mass in Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture. Macron and his wife Brigitte will attend the religious service. Leo’s message will come seven months before French voters choose a successor to Macron, with the eurosceptic, anti-immigration far-right seeking power. — AFP
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