Full Breakdown
Pope Leo XIV Calls for a Democratic Europe in Metz
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Papal Address in Metz
On September 28, Pope Leo XIV delivered a lengthy speech at the Robert Schuman Center in Metz, northeastern France. The address celebrated Europe’s post-World-War II efforts to unify and democratize the continent and offered an implicit rebuke of the Trump administration’s recent attacks on NATO, the European Union and allied nations.
Background & Context
Since 1945, European integration has been framed as a peace-building project, embodied in the European Union and institutions such as NATO. The Trump administration, however, has repeatedly questioned the value of these alliances, describing Europe as facing “civilizational erasure.” Leo XIV’s visit marks the first papal state visit to France in 18 years and comes amid heightened U.S. criticism of multilateral bodies.
Official Statements & Responses
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking alongside the pope, reiterated that Europe rests on a “Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian foundation.” He linked this heritage to the “primacy of the person” and the emergence of the “free and rational individual.” Macron warned that peace, truth and democracy are threatened not only by armed conflict—citing Russia’s war in Ukraine—but also by social fragmentation, online manipulation, and divisive nationalism.
Pope Leo XIV used the Metz platform to stress that Europe’s cooperative spirit can counteract “an increasingly uncivilized world.” He praised the EU’s founding principles and called on Europeans to uphold democratic values, implicitly contrasting them with the Trump administration’s rhetoric.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our Europe ... is above all a civilisation,” — Emmanuel Macron, french president
- “This Europe of our cities and villages, schools and universities, cafes and public squares, was built on a Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian foundation.” — Emmanuel Macron, french president
- “A democracy does not die only under shells,” — Emmanuel Macron, french president
- “I think he's doing very well (as pope). He's talking of the challenges that we have. You must have heard about his first encyclical letter on artificial intelligence ... all the good that this technology can bring to today's world. He's a guy from Chicago. I love him. We all love him!” — Dr. de Franciscis
Why It Matters
The joint appearance of the pope and France’s secular president underscores a rare convergence of religious and political leadership on Europe’s cultural identity. By invoking Europe’s Judeo-Christian roots, Macron seeks to reinforce a common civilizational narrative that could bolster support for the EU amid external security threats and internal disinformation campaigns. Leo XIV’s emphasis on democratic values and press freedom adds moral weight to calls for resilience against authoritarian tendencies, including those expressed by the Trump administration.
What’s Next
Later in the week, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency from which the United States has withdrawn. The visit will focus on UNESCO’s mission to promote peace through culture and education, extending the pope’s message of multilateral cooperation beyond Europe.