Home · Faith · Oct 29 archive
Pope Leo XIV Urges Europe to Rediscover Christian Heritage
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV called on Europe to rediscover its Christian heritage and engage in open dialogue with others during a speech in Metz, France, on September 28, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV called on Europe to rediscover its Christian heritage and engage in open dialogue with others during a speech in Metz, France, on September 28, 2026.
The Pope emphasized the importance of Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which calls for dialogue with churches, and noted that Europe’s postwar experience has shown that dialogue can resolve disagreements.
Pope Leo XIV cited the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, stating that secularity 'calls for an open, transparent and regular dialogue with churches,' and that this vision of Europe 'also presupposes genuine cooperation among all parties.'
He also highlighted the need for Europe to engage with the diverse cultures now living within it, urging the continent to draw upon its Christian roots to address modern challenges.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people to help shape Europe’s future and emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in fostering peace and unity.
The Pope’s visit to France came amid concerns about the resurgence of conflicts and the desire for domination driving today’s wars.
President Emmanuel Macron warned that 'War has returned to our continent,' and that Europe was 'shaken by the return of empires' 75 years after the Schuman Declaration.
Pope Leo XIV urged Europe to return to its roots and engage in dialogue to curb the 'desire for domination' driving today’s wars.
The Pope emphasized that Europe’s future lies in the harmony of differences, where the wounds of the past become openings through which light shines.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed the challenges facing Western society, encouraging Christians to rediscover a unity rooted in the Holy Trinity and to build relationships of authentic communion.
The Pope’s message was signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and sent to participants in a meeting organized by the Pontifical International Marian Academy (PAMI) and the Order of Friars Minor.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged Christians throughout the Middle East not to measure the vitality of the Church simply by numbers, institutions or material resources, and highlighted the enduring relevance of St.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV previously called for an end to hostilities in Yemen and prayed for victims of a terror attack in Jordan during his Sunday Angelus address.
Background
Pope Leo XIV called for an end to hostilities in Yemen and prayed for victims of a terror attack in Jordan during his Sunday Angelus address.
Pope Leo XIV called for peace in Yemen and other conflict zones during his Angelus address, emphasizing the need for dialogue and multilateralism.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV (C) delivers a speech as France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) and President of the Conference of Bishops of France Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (R) listen during a meeting called "At the Roots of Europe: For Peace and Unity", at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre in Metz, northeastern France, on September 28, 2026 on the last day of his visit to France. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) On Monday, September 28, the last day of his trip to France, Pope Leo XIV gave an address at the “Robert Schuman” Conference Center in Metz.
- Pope Leo XIV urged Europe yesterday to draw from its Christian roots and tradition of dialogue to blunt the “desire for domination” driving today’s wars, as he wrapped up a visit to France by recalling the forces that contributed to the continent’s peaceful integration.
What's still developing
- He was declared “venerable” by Pope Francis in 2021 in recognition of his heroic virtues.
- “War has come back to our continent and our Europe is rocked by the return of empires,” Macron said.
- Speaking to bishops associated with the Focolare Movement, the Holy Father pointed to growing fragmentation in family and community life and called on Catholics to respond by rediscovering a unity rooted in the Holy Trinity.
- VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said Christ remains the Church’s hope amid war, slavery, sin, and the wounds of history, urging Christians to learn from Jesus a “school of freedom” rooted in the cross.
- Europe “must therefore be understood as a cultural and historical reality before a geographical one,” the Pope said.
- The title of the event was “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity.” Metz is a city just 27 miles from the Schengen tripoint, where the borders of Luxembourg, France, and Germany meet — an area rich in significance for European history.
- “Only state-registered denominations are allowed websites. All online activity must demonstrate ‘support for the leadership of the Communist Party of China.'” The report described how Church leaders in Syria fear an existential threat because of the fall in the Christian population by more than 80% since 2011, and says in Iran the arrests of Christians have doubled.
- Not a single country showed improvements for persecuted Christians, with the report revealing that in 10 countries persecution worsened while eight remained the same.
- Join us in encouraging millions to begin again and seek Christ.
- Christianity, the Pope explained, is therefore inseparable from Europe’s history.
- Published 28 Sept 2026, 12:15 UTC Updated 30 Sept 2026, 03:01 UTC 42 outlets compared A wider view of the story This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets.
- The event began yesterday, 27 October, and will conclude tomorrow, Thursday, 29 October, in Perugia and Assisi, where an event of prayer marking the 40th anniversary of the “Spirit of Assisi” concluded yesterday.