Pope to speak on EU integration from French border town of Metz

Pope Leo XIV was to speak on Monday about the future of Europe and its integration, giving a distinctly political dimension to a landmark visit to France, which has sparked scenes of spiritual jubilation. The leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics wraps up his four-day trip with a visit to Metz, a northeastern city that repeatedly changed hands between France and Germany in past conflicts. The city is closely associated with Robert Schuman, considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who is buried just outside Metz. The first US pontiff was expected to speak on the "roots of Europe" and the importance of unity on a continent where nationalist movements are gaining strength and Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fifth year, shows no sign of abating. President Emmanuel Macron was also to speak and a handful of European heads of state and government were expected to be in attendance. Leo's message will come seven months before French voters choose a successor to Macron, with the eurosceptic, anti-immigration far-right seeking power. The pope sees Europe as a counterweight to the world's major powers and has in the past called on the EU to overcome tensions...