Pope Leo XIV warns of growing barbarity in relations between states
Speaking in Metz, France, on September 28, 2026, the pope said relations between states are becoming more barbaric, called for constructive dialogue and urged Europe to guarantee the dignity of people fleeing war and poverty
Pope Leo XIV said on September 28, 2026 that relations between states are becoming increasingly barbaric. He was speaking at an event titled "At the roots of Europe, for peace and unity" at the Robert Schuman Congress Center in Metz, France. The pope called for constructive dialogue and urged action to confront the violence and war that still afflict humanity.
In his address, Leo XIV looked back to the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the cornerstone of modern Europe, and said the continent's roots require a commitment to peace through creative efforts and courageous negotiation. That search for peace should not be confused with a naive irenicism, he said. World peace, he added, demands efforts proportionate to the dangers that threaten it, at a time of severe crisis in multilateralism and international law.
French bishops, presidents of bishops' conferences and civil dignitaries attended, among them Prince Felipe of Monaco and his wife, Charlene. The Metz Opera Orchestra performed a solemn program, and the pope was received with sustained applause. Leo XIV argued for a more humane approach to conflicts and said that "fostering peace is active work."
The pope also turned to migration, calling on Europe to guarantee the dignity of those fleeing war and poverty. "Human dignity demands legal and safe routes, relief and assistance," he said, and he called for policies that allow everyone to live with dignity in their own land. Leo XIV called for genuine cooperation against human trafficking and effective protection for its victims.
He addressed young people directly, urging them to build a united and strong Europe, to live responsibly and not to give in to violence. "Love life at all times and do not be afraid of the future," he told them, encouraging them to defend the dignity of every person and to work tirelessly for the good of their communities.
Leo XIV closed with a message of hope. He said the integration of those arriving in Europe is possible because of the universal values that sustain civil coexistence, and he encouraged the continent to persevere on that path. "With you, Europe, firmly rooted, will continue to flourish and to inspire the whole world," he said.
