Monday, September 28, 2026 300 stories · 2589 outlet reports compared

Pope Leo XIV concludes France visit with speech in Metz urging peace

Pope Leo XIV wrapped up a visit to France on Monday with a speech in Metz, urging religious leaders to preach peace and warning that relations between nations were becoming 'increasingly uncivilised'.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 Pope Leo XIV gave a speech in Metz, France on Monday to conclude his visit to the country.
2 He urged religious leaders in France to preach peace and unity, recalling the foundations of European post-World War II integration, per The Washington Times.
3 According to France 24, he warned that relations between nations were becoming 'increasingly uncivilised' and urged Europe to break this cycle.
4 France 24 characterized the visit as 'hugely successful'.

Pope Leo XIV concluded a visit to France on Monday with a speech in Metz, in which he urged religious leaders to preach messages of peace and unity, according to The Hill, Newsmax and The Washington Times.

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The pope recalled the forces of dialogue that contributed to Europe's post-World War II integration, according to The Washington Times.

According to France 24, Pope Leo warned that relations between nations were becoming 'increasingly uncivilised', with people boasting of 'lies and deceit', and he urged Europe to help 'break this cycle'.

France 24's Angela Diffley described the trip overall as a 'hugely successful' visit to France.

How each side covered it

Center

4 outlets
  • France 24 reported the pope warned relations between nations were becoming 'increasingly uncivilised.'
  • France 24 quoted the pope urging Europe to 'break this cycle' of lies and deceit.
  • France 24 described the visit as 'hugely successful.'
  • The Hill reported the pope urged religious leaders to preach peace and recalled the foundations of European unity.

“Pope wraps up 'hugely successful' France visit with Metz speech” — France 24

Right

3 outlets
  • Newsmax and The Washington Times reported the pope urged religious leaders in France to preach peace.
  • The Washington Times noted the pope recalled the forces of dialogue that aided Europe's post-World War II integration.
  • Coverage focused on the conclusion of the pope's visit to France.

“Pope Leo XIV urged religious leaders on Monday to preach messages of peace and unity as he wrapped up a visit to France by recalling the forces of dialogue that contributed to Europe's post-World War II integration.” — The Washington Times

Questions readers ask

What did Pope Leo XIV say during his visit to France?

Pope Leo XIV urged religious leaders to preach messages of peace and unity, referencing the dialogue that helped build Europe's post-World War II integration. According to France 24, he also warned that relations between nations were becoming 'increasingly uncivilised.'

Where did the pope give his final speech of the trip?

Pope Leo XIV gave his concluding speech in Metz, France, on Monday, marking the end of his visit to the country.

How was the visit received according to news coverage?

France 24's Angela Diffley described the trip as a 'hugely successful' visit to France, though this characterization was not reported by other outlets.

What did center- and right-leaning outlets focus on regarding this event?

Center and right-leaning outlets, including The Hill, Newsmax and The Washington Times, focused on the pope's call for religious leaders to preach peace and his references to Europe's post-war unity.

Sources · 8 outlet reports

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