Pope Leo XIV called for forgiveness and reconciliation during a mass in the Metz Cathedral

During the mass in the cathedral of St. Stephen's Day was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. The French media point out that before the Pope's arrival in France, the Elysée Palace informed that the head of state would not take part in any papal mass.

Violence, manipulation and pride

In the Gothic cathedral, the Pope, referring to the turbulent history of this part of north-eastern France, emphasized that for centuries it had been "a meeting place of nations and at the same time a painful border of Europe."

In a world marked by limitations, harmony can only be built in love that can share joys and sufferings, encourage and forgive without calculation and without limits, as in a family, he declared.

He added that in times when there are so many manifestations of "violence, manipulation and pride", Jesus shows the path of forgiveness, mercy and generosity.

"If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him as well."

Leo XIV recalled the words from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek as well. If someone wants to argue with you and take your robe, leave him and your cloak. If someone forces you to go with him a thousand steps, go two thousand."

As he noted, "to some these words might seem like a sign of weakness or a capitulation to evil, but this is not the case."

He encouraged us to reflect: "what do attitudes such as revenge, retaliation and rejection give rise to in the world and in ourselves? And what future for humanity is predicted by the relationships and systems permeated by the ruthless logic that arise from these attitudes?"

Then he said: It is not true that the one who takes revenge is stronger than the one who forgives. It is not true that the one who never gives in is stronger than the one who seeks reconciliation. It is also not true that the one who leaves slamming the door is stronger than the one who makes the effort to travel together.

Leo XIV: Break the chain of resentment

The Pope said that reconciliation becomes possible only when one has the courage to break the chain of resentment.

It takes strength and great inner balance not to let evil overwhelm us, especially when the wounds inflicted are deep, he said.

Once again, during his visit to France, the Pope spoke about the need to protect life at every stage and in every situation.

A rocket for the Pope

The monumental cathedral in Metz is called the "Lantern of the Good God" due to its stained glass windows, covering an area of 6,500 square meters. In modern times, a work by Marc Chagall was added to them.

Contemplating these stained glass windows, we learn that the future of Europe does not lie in uniformity, but in the harmony of differences, in which the wound of the past becomes a crack allowing light to pass through, the pope said.

Representatives of other religions, including Judaism and Islam, also came to the mass.

The mayor of Metz, Francois Grosdidier, welcomed the pope in the cathedral and gave him a wooden tennis racket.

After hours On 19 Leo XIV set off on his way back to Rome.