Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace during a four-day trip to France, praising the European Union for tearing down walls and positioning himself as a diplomatic figure amid renewed European conflicts. The visit highlighted his growing influence beyond religious leadership, as he addressed geopolitical tensions, technological risks, and political extremism while navigating complex relationships with global powers.
A Diplomatic Pope Emerges
Pope Leo XIV, during his four-day trip to France, framed his role as both a spiritual leader and an emerging elder statesman. In Metz, near the historically contested Germany-France border, he called for courage in negotiation and urged willingness to give up some positions for the greater good of peace. His remarks emphasize a shift from traditional religious rhetoric to a more pragmatic approach to global conflicts, a tone echoed by analysts like Claude Dargent, who described him as more of a diplomat than a purely spiritual figure. The trip concluded in Metz, a city central to the intellectual origins of the European Union, where Leo delivered addresses in a conference center named after Robert Schuman, the late French foreign minister and founding father of the E.U., who is now a candidate for Catholic sainthood.
Peace, Pacifism, and the Illusion of War
The pope explicitly rejected both “naive pacifism” and the illusion that rearmament is the answer, balancing his anti-war stance with a recognition of geopolitical realities. His comments came amid renewed tensions in Europe, though he avoided direct references to specific conflicts like Ukraine. The Washington Post noted his focus on the search for peace must not be confused with a naive form of pacifism,
a phrase that has become a hallmark of his public messaging. During a news conference on his flight back to Rome, Leo declined to elaborate on his remarks about renewed war in Europe,
but his broader message emphasized the need for dialogue over militarization.
Leo also addressed technological and political challenges, warning against the risks of artificial intelligence while critiquing the quest for domination by powerful nations. His remarks at UNESCO in Paris, where he reiterated concerns about AI, contrasted with the approach of figures like former President Donald Trump, who has championed rapid technological advancement. The pope’s emphasis on common humanity and “human dignitypositioned him as a counterforce to what he described as
might is right” ideologies. International law and multilateralism emphasize the genuine equality of states in their relations and constitute the best antidote to the desire for domination, which lies at the root of every conflict,
Leo stated, echoing his concerns about global power imbalances.
Politics and Populism
During his trip, Leo confronted rising political extremism, particularly in France, where far-right leader Marine Le Pen leads in presidential polls. He condemned hatred wielded in the name of religion,
stating, That's not an authentic expression of Christianity.
His critique of modern ‘neocolonies’ of powerful nations, a nod to geopolitical tensions involving the U.S. and Russia. In Metz, he doubled down on a point for which the White House has taken him to task: his claim that “God’s namecan never be used to
justify violence or oppression. His remarks aligned with his broader condemnation of
the erosion of international law,” a theme central to his diplomatic messaging.
The pope’s diplomatic style also extended to U.S.-Vatican relations. While he initially faced criticism from Trump, who labeled him “weak on crime,” Leo has since avoided public confrontations, instead focusing on broader ideological battles. His visit to France, a secular nation with a complex relationship with the Church, highlights his efforts to balance religious authority with global political engagement. During tours of Africa and Spain in April and June, Leo—described by some as a plain-talking, Chicago-born counterweight in an era of unbridled American power
—emerged as a confident and emotive spiritual leader. In Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, he drew 800,000 faithful for an outdoor Mass, the largest crowd in the capital since France’s World Cup victory in 2018, and packed a stadium with 80,000 young people the night before.
Leo’s growing influence as a statesman was further evident in his engagement with international institutions. At UNESCO, he spoke of the horror of war and the glory of peace,
reaffirming his concerns about AI’s societal risks. His comments on “neocolonies” and “domination” resonated with critics of U.S. and Russian geopolitical strategies, while his warnings against far-right extremism aligned with broader European anxieties. In a symbolic nod to Schuman’s legacy, Leo emphasized the EU’s role in fostering peace, stating, Tearing down walls that were dividing it
was a testament to its enduring vision. The visit concluded with Leo reaffirming his commitment to common humanity,
a concept he framed as the foundation for resolving conflicts and upholding dignity in an increasingly fragmented world.