Papal Gesture with Historical Significance
During a recent visit to France, Pope Leo XIV took a moment to pay his respects in front of a staircase located at the Garden of the Carmelites, situated on the campus of the Catholic University of Paris. The staircase, though small—with just four steps—bears a significant inscription: Hic Cicidereunt, which translates to “Here they fell” in Latin, referencing the tragic killings that occurred there. The gray stone was adorned with flowers while the Pope paused for prayer, capturing the attention of onlookers and media alike.
This memorial commemorates the events of September 1792, a pivotal time shortly after the French Revolution had begun—a revolt targeting not only King Louis XVI but particularly the Catholic Church. In this environment of radical change, the revolutionaries even created a mock religion termed the Cult of Reason, a clear nod to their opposition to traditional faiths. These extreme actions echo a troubling precedent; the pursuit of a new belief system should not come at the cost of others’ lives, drawing parallel to the violent legacies of groups like the Khmer Rouge.
Historian Christopher Hibbert recounts the grim events that transpired on this site. Armed men stormed the convent where around 150 imprisoned priests were being held. Upon their violent arrival, one priest bravely demanded justice, a plea met with gunfire. The Archbishop of Arles subsequently approached the group, identifying himself, only to face a brutal assault that left him fatally wounded. This incident led to a massacre, with the other clerics also losing their lives, their bodies discarded in a heap. It’s a somber comfort that these martyrs have since been beatified by the Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s quiet homage at the Garden of the Carmelites can be seen as a simple act of Christian decency, demonstrating respect for fellow believers. Yet, it also holds a deeper significance—challenging the dominant political climate in France. Even years after the revolution, the French state’s hostility toward the Church persists, illustrated by a series of twentieth-century laws aimed at diminishing religious influence—a strategy that sought to silence priests rather than execute them.
The longstanding policy of laïcité, or secularism, has shaped the relationship between church and state since. One might liken it to a situation where an organization similar to the ACLU governs the religious landscape. Interestingly, both the French government and entities like the ACLU often seem more accepting of Islam compared to Christianity.
Now, with the Pope’s presence, there’s a refreshing vision emerging amidst this landscape—one that emphasizes Christianity and its cultural significance rather than promoting a secular agenda that seems to favor Islam. His tribute to the martyrs serves as a pointed reminder of the past injustices wrought by the same ideals that currently guide the French government, suggesting a path where history’s lessons are not forgotten.
Pope Leo further embedded this critique of historical violence by celebrating a mass at the Place de la Concorde, a site notorious for the public executions of Christians during the Reign of Terror. This juxtaposition of past violence against a backdrop of present reverence cannot be overlooked.
During his time in France, Pope Leo XIV has displayed a steady dignity, echoing his earlier visit to Spain, where he similarly honored those lost to leftist violence. It brings to mind Pope John Paul II’s significant trip to Poland in 1979, which helped galvanize the Solidarity movement against oppressive forces. While today’s French government and the EU are not as overtly authoritarian, there are concerning trends suggesting a bureaucratic intolerance toward religious expression, particularly that of Christians.
Notably, recent U.S. political discourse has highlighted the potential dangers posed by Europe’s progressive secularism to both freedom and prosperity, a conversation spurred by figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Moral struggles are inherently bound to the context of past, present, and future. For effective persuasion, understanding history’s impact is critical: it allows individuals to learn from success and avoid repeating mistakes. The Pope recognizes that the French Revolution sparked a legacy of leftist uprisings—across various nations—that often first targeted the faithful.
Furthermore, in the U.S., a prominent leftist publication uses the name Jacobin, which is a reminder of the notorious faction responsible for so much bloodshed in revolutionary France. By honoring the memory of those lost, Pope Leo XIV is directly confronting the revolutionary left and delegitimizing their ideology, reminding us of their potential for violence if given power.
In essence, one might say that Leo is wielding a powerful moral sword, advocating for a remembrance that is both righteous and prayerful.
