Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Final Mass in Metz

Police conducted thorough security checks at the mass venue, inspecting bags and patting down attendees at the entrance.

French President Emmanuel Macron decided to attend the papal mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral.

The reporter stated, "Emmanuel Macron will attend. This is information we learned last night."

The President's attendance at the mass is due to the special circumstance where France's strict secularism law, enacted in 1905, does not apply to the Alsace-Lorraine region. At the time the law was enacted, Alsace-Lorraine was German territory, and it currently maintains its 'Concordat' (agreement between church and state) status.

Under this agreement, the French government supports the salaries of Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish clergy, while Islam is excluded from support due to the historical reason that there were few followers in the region in 1905.

The Pope warned Europeans not to fall into isolationism at a time when nationalism is spreading.

The reporter stated, "He urged Europeans not to succumb to isolationism at a time when nationalists are gaining ground."

Although the Pope did not directly mention the war in Ukraine, he strongly emphasized peace on the European continent, asserting that resuming dialogue for peace is the top priority, even if it means sacrificing certain conditions.