METZ, France (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV once again stressed that God does not promote war and called for the protection of human dignity and life, during the last day of his papal visit to France on Monday (Sept. 28).
“To invoke God’s name in order to justify violence or oppression is to profane that name. Nothing that disfigures human dignity can claim to be inspired by God,” Leo said during an interreligious gathering at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz.
“Religions are guardians of life,” he added, and their fruitfulness is in their “loving presence alongside those who are most vulnerable and fragile.”
The pope’s past remarks that God rejects war drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump this spring, leading to a public disagreement over the war in Iran.
Participants at the Metz event, including the chief rabbi of France, the heads of Orthodox and Protestant churches and representatives of the Islamic and Buddhist federations in the country, signed the Metz Appeal, describing their commitment to peace, dialogue and the defense of human dignity.
The pope chose Metz to deliver his message, acknowledging its roots and modern challenges. Schuman, one of the founding architects of what is today the European Union, spent many years in Metz. A devoted Catholic, he outlined the principles of unity and reconciliation in the context of post-World War II Europe. Pope Francis declared him venerable in 2021, initiating the Vatican process toward sainthood.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press)
Leo was addressing attendees of a conference titled “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity.” His speech called the continent to recognize the diversity of its members while promoting its heritage, at a time, he said, when relations between states are increasing “uncivilized” and people boast “of lies and deceit.”International law and multilateralism “constitute the best antidote to the desire for domination,” the root of every conflict, he said.
The pope, who has made peace a central theme of his pontificate, said, “Today, sadly, war has returned, even to Europe: a new ‘senseless slaughter,’ claiming countless civilian lives every day.”
Leo’s comments came only a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his German counterpart at the United Nations General Assembly. Relations between the two countries have been frozen since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. In his U.N. speech, Lavrov reiterated his defense of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace,” the pope said.
He also addressed the rearmament of Europe, which is undergoing its fastest military buildup since the Cold War. Military expenditure in Europe increased by 14% in 2025, with 29 European members of NATO spending a combined $559 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The pope warned against “the illusion that rearmament is the answer” and questioned Europe’s commitment to peace.
“Today, we must ask whether we are truly making ‘creative efforts’ to advance world peace, or whether we are simply seeking to ‘stem the tide of war’ and better prepare ourselves for wars that we assume are still to come,” he said.
Leo’s speech centered on Europe’s Christian roots. He urged the continent to recognize the “historical significance” of today’s arrival of immigrants fleeing persecution and seeking a better life, repeating his appeals for integration and welcoming.
His final remarks were addressed to European youth, whom he encouraged to promote peace and not give in to a mentality of violence and oppression. “Do not be afraid of the future!” he said, urging them not to fear starting a family, having children and defending the dignity of others.
