Skip to content

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV’s final day in France

Pope Leo XIV greets the congregation ahead of Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets the congregation ahead of Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media

On the fourth and final day of his apostolic journey to France, the pope addressed European leaders at the Robert Schuman Conference Center and celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz.

Pope Leo XIV addressed European leaders at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz on the final day of his Sept. 25–28 visit to France. The title of the event was “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity.”

From there he traveled to the Metz Cathedral — a towering Gothic structure dedicated to St. Stephen and nicknamed “the Good Lord’s lantern” for its large expanse of stained glass — where he celebrated Mass before 35,000 people both inside and outside the cathedral, according to the Vatican. He returned to Rome in the evening.

Here is a look at his day in photos:

Pope Leo XIV greets the cabin crew on the Air France A321 as he departs Lourdes for Metz on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets the cabin crew on the Air France A321 as he departs Lourdes for Metz on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV embraces a child after landing in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV embraces a child after landing in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV stands with religious leaders at an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV stands with religious leaders at an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
A participant takes a video recording of Pope Leo XIV’s participation at the meeting “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
A participant takes a video recording of Pope Leo XIV’s participation at the meeting “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV sits with French President Emmanuel Macron at the meeting “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV sits with French President Emmanuel Macron at the meeting “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV meets with religious leaders at an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV meets with religious leaders at an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Center in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Young people wait for Pope Leo XIV to arrive outside the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Young people wait for Pope Leo XIV to arrive outside the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France, on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV stops to bless a baby as he makes his way to the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV stops to bless a baby as he makes his way to the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV signs the guest book upon entering the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV signs the guest book upon entering the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV prays at the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV prays at the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Sept. 28, 2026, in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV delivers his homily during Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, in the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV delivers his homily during Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, in the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, in the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass on Sept. 28, 2026, in the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz, France. | Credit: Vatican Media
French President Emmanuel Macro and Pope Leo XIV meet one last time before the pope boards a plane back to Rome on Sept. 28, 2028. | Credit: Vatican Media
French President Emmanuel Macro and Pope Leo XIV meet one last time before the pope boards a plane back to Rome on Sept. 28, 2028. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters on his flight from Metz, France, to Rome on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters on his flight from Metz, France, to Rome on Sept. 28, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

The History & Requirements of the Swiss Guard: the Oldest Standing Army

Pope Francis has expressed his desire to visit his native Argentina next year, stating that he has always wanted to return, but has requested not to be linked to the politics of his country, and the trip will take place after the presidential elections in October 2023.

Who is Cardinal Farrell, the camerlengo and a key figure in the papal transition?

Following the death of Pope Francis, an Irish-American cardinal is playing a leading role in overseeing Vatican affairs until the election of a new pope.

The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter

February 22 marks the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, an ancient celebration within the Catholic Church. Here we share four lesser-known facts about this festivity.

Cardinal Parolin on St. Carlo Acutis: Many ‘touched by his smile’ when they see his photo

In a Mass marking the first liturgical memorial of St. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized by Pope Leo

Pope Francis urges world not to forget countries in need of God’s ‘gift of peace’

As the world continues to pray for him throughout his prolonged hospitalization, the 88-year-old pontiff has asked people to remember to pray for God’s “gift of peace” for those suffering in war-torn countries.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com