Pope Leo XIV has departed France and returned to Rome, ending a four-day Apostolic Journey where he encountered millions of people across the country.
On Monday, the final day of his trip, he held an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre in Metz, calling for dialogue among religious to establish friendship and peace.
“Dialogue does not diminish our identity, but expresses it with simplicity and truth by opening it to the diversity of the other,” said Pope Leo.
“Our shared responsibility as men and women of faith is to bear witness that, beyond all borders, it is always possible to meet one another, forge friendships, and seek peace.”
He then moved on to the Cathedral of St Stephen in Metz, where he celebrated Mass and echoed the theme of peace and friendship, drawing on the theme of the desert from the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah.
“In a world marked by so much violence, manipulation and arrogance at various levels, Jesus teaches us how to transform deserts into oases, to plant gardens, and to build homes,” the Holy Father said.
“He shows us the path that leads through forgiveness, mercy and magnanimity: ‘If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give him your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile’.”
“To some, these words might seem like a sign of weakness, or a concession to evil, but that is not the case. Let us look carefully at ourselves and our surroundings: What do attitudes such as vengeance, retaliation, and rejection bring about, both in the world and within ourselves? What kind of future for humanity do relationships and systems imbued with the ruthless mentality stemming from these attitudes hold in store?
“Those of you, who are the children of this land torn apart in the past by fratricidal conflicts, know full well that it is not true that those who seek revenge are stronger than those who forgive. It is not true that those who refuse to yield are stronger than those who seek reconciliation. It is not true that those who walk away are stronger than those who face the challenge of walking together.”
Following Mass, he traveled to the Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport to depart the country. He held a private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron inside the airport building before he was officially farewelled on the tarmac with full military honours.
As has become customary, during the flight back to Rome, he held an in-flight press conference, offering an overview of his trip to France, and condemning the “senseless” war between Russia and Ukraine, once again emphasising he need for dialogue and peace.
Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France was the sixth trip outside Italy during his pontificate. His next planned trip will be on 6 to 17 November 2026, when he will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, including the Diocese of Chiclayo where he was bishop from 2015 to 2023.
