Story perspectives

Pope Delivers “Metz Appeal” Urging Humane Migrant Treatment

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 2:45 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech on unity and peace in Metz on September 28, 2026.
He led an interfaith meeting at the Robert Schuman Convention Center adopting the Metz Appeal.
French President Emmanuel Macron attended the Mass with about 12,500 worshippers.
100,000 lined the route as the Pope warned against nationalist isolationism and urged humane migrant treatment.
He urged religious leaders to be artisans of peace and denounce hate.

History

Historical Context

Vatican II, convened by Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and concluded by Pope Paul VI on 8 December 1965, gathered roughly 2,900 bishops and drew a 300,000-person crowd for its closing Mass. Its declaration of religious freedom and the first papal prayer with non-Catholic observers opened the Church to interfaith action, a precedent later echoed in large Catholic mobilizations that shape European asylum policy debates.

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Story summary

Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech on unity and peace in Metz on September 28, 2026.
He led an interfaith meeting at the Robert Schuman Convention Center adopting the Metz Appeal.
French President Emmanuel Macron attended the Mass with about 12,500 worshippers.
100,000 lined the route as the Pope warned against nationalist isolationism and urged humane migrant treatment.
He urged religious leaders to be artisans of peace and denounce hate.

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