Pope Leo XIV Urges Europe to Reconnect with Christian Heritage

Pope Leo XIV, during his visit to the northeastern French city of Metz, emphasized the importance of Europe’s Christian roots and how they should inform contemporary society. This address marked the conclusion of his four-day trip.

As reported, the Pope aimed to highlight a common Christian foundation across Europe that has remained resilient amid various challenges, noting how the ongoing issue of illegal migration continues to impact nations throughout the continent.

“It’s impossible to talk about Europe without acknowledging Christianity,” he remarked, referencing the long-standing presence of the faith in the region, which has been a part of European history since the 1st century AD.

The pontiff acknowledged the benefits of European unity, stating that collaboration is a “social and political necessity.” He urged leaders within the EU to transform abstract concepts like freedom and democracy into tangible realities.

Addressing a gathering of leaders from various faiths, including Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and Orthodox representatives, the Pope expressed his optimism about Europe.

“Europe has thrived when it has embraced its past and, in creative encounters with others, reinvented those elements,” he said.

The Pope also directed his message toward the youth, encouraging them to approach the future with hope:

To young people, I say: be courageous in promoting peace everywhere—within your hearts, in relationships, in schools, and across Europe.
Do not succumb to violence or oppression.
Treasure life and embrace the future without fear!
Do not hesitate to start families and defend the dignity of every individual from conception to death.

His visit to historically Catholic yet officially secular France is underscored by his call for a renewed focus on Christian heritage to meet modern ethical and geopolitical issues.

This sentiment mirrors recent comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who cautioned that globalism and mass migration are posing risks to Europe’s future.

On a separate note, the Pope condemned France’s recent legislation allowing assisted dying, referring to it as “false compassion” during a visit to a Catholic shrine in Lourdes.

He emphasized that the sick should not be viewed as a “burden,” but rather as “the beating heart of our humanity and a precious treasure for the Church.”

Throughout his journey, the Pope has attracted massive crowds, with around 800,000 attending his Mass at Paris’ Place de la Concorde, which evidently exceeded expectations.

This observable turnout suggests a revival of the Catholic Church in France, with a notable rise in adult and youth baptisms reported this year.

In his final event in France, the Pope planned to celebrate Mass at the St. Stephen Cathedral in Metz, renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows created by Marc Chagall, often referred to as “The Good Lord’s Lantern.”