Pope says Europe should embrace Christian roots to stop ongoing conflicts

Pope Leo XIV on Monday urged Europe to draw from its Christian foundations and traditions to respond to ongoing wars and other conflicts, as he wrapped up a visit to France.

Leo traveled to the eastern city of Metz to honor Robert Schuman, a French Catholic statesman regarded as one of the founding fathers of European unity after World War II. At the end of his four-day visit, Leo gave a speech at a conference center named for Schuman, where he urged unity and peace in Europe.

Europeans had flourished and progressed only when they drew on the best aspects of their past, he said. He cited what he described as Saint Benedict’s influence, which he said led Europeans to promote care for the poor and the sick, while developing and expanding education, law and the sciences. Without this monastic influence, European civilization as it is now known would not exist, he said. He added that one cannot speak of Europe without mentioning Christianity.

Over the past 80 years, Europe had demonstrated that it was possible to articulate divergent opinions, claims, and interests through encounters, rather than conflict. He added that Europe needed to commit to patient dialogue and be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace. He did not elaborate, however.

Leo went on to describe the influence of Schuman and former Italian Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi, whom he said contributed to European unity and peace. Schuman and De Gaspari drew from Europe’s Christian roots, he argued. These values did not stem solely from religious commitment, the Pope said. Instead, he said openness to the transcendent is always an essential part of humanity and a living source of civilization.

What did the pope say about mass migration to Europe? In view of the unprecedented migration into Europe, society bore a dual responsibility to welcome immigrants while also integrating them into the community, the pope said. He added that Europe’s founding values should assure people that this dialogue was possible and could provide a solid foundation for society, enabling peace and a reconciled world.