Pope Leo XIV Concludes Historic French Pilgrimage with Metz Farewell

Pope Leo XIV departed for Rome on Monday evening, bringing a historic four-day visit to France to a close amid an outpouring of public enthusiasm. The pontiff was escorted to the airport in the eastern city of Metz by President Emmanuel Macron, who bid him farewell following a pilgrimage that also included stops in Paris and Lourdes.

“We are sad that he is leaving, but happy that everything went well,” Macron remarked during the send-off.

In a notable shift on Sunday evening, Macron reversed an earlier decision to skip the Pope’s final Mass at Metz Cathedral. The French president had not attended any of the liturgies held during the pontiff’s stay, a stance influenced by France’s strict principle of laïcité—the constitutional separation of church and state—which has long fueled debate over the propriety of a head of state participating in papal ceremonies.

Faithful Describe ‘Incredibly Moving’ Experience in Metz

For the crowds gathered in Metz, the visit proved deeply emotional. Inès, who drove five hours from Rouen to witness the Pope’s arrival, described feeling “incredibly moved” seeing him in the popemobile.

“I felt so emotional; it was truly touching. The fact that we were all able to come together in this shared experience, creating a sense of community, is very special,” she said.

Sisters Antonia and Marie, who traveled from the surrounding region for the papal parade, echoed that sentiment. They said the Pope’s messages emphasizing the importance of peace across the European continent resonated profoundly.

“In the times that the world is facing, it made us feel heard and gave us hope to keep going,” they shared.

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