METZ, France – Pope Leo XIV concluded his four‑day French pilgrimage on Monday by addressing an interfaith gathering at the Robert Schuman conference centre in Metz. The Pope called on Jewish, Muslim, Protestant and Orthodox leaders to preach peace, reject the use of God’s name to justify violence, and uphold the tradition of dialogue that helped forge Europe after World War II.

Faith leaders urged to build friendships across borders

Leo cited the legacy of French Catholic statesman Robert Schuman, a founding father of European unity, as a model for today’s religious leaders. Schuman’s post‑war vision linked economic cooperation with lasting peace, a principle Leo says remains vital as Europe confronts war, migration and cultural polarization.

“To invoke God’s name in order to justify violence or oppression is to profane that name,” Leo declared. “Religious discourse must constantly call for the disarmament of hearts and words.”

Pope’s broader appeal to Europe’s Christian roots

Earlier in the trip, Leo visited the Catholic shrine at Lourdes, where he condemned France’s newly approved legislation permitting medically assisted dying, describing it as “false compassion.” The Pope’s remarks resonated with crowds, including an estimated 800,000 attendees at his Mass on Paris’s Place de la Concorde.

His flight from Lourdes to Metz was escorted by two French fighter jets, underscoring the significance of his visit to French authorities.

Final Mass in historic Metz cathedral

On Monday, Leo celebrated Mass at the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its soaring vaults and stained‑glass windows, some designed by 20th‑century Jewish artist Marc Chagall. The cathedral’s nickname, “Lanterne du Bon Dieu” (The Good Lord’s Lantern), reflects its luminous heritage.

Schuman’s 1950 declaration, which created the European Coal and Steel Community, laid the groundwork for today’s European Union. By recalling that history, Leo urged contemporary faith leaders to continue fostering friendship across borders, reinforcing Europe’s shared Christian heritage as a moral compass for current challenges.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.