President Emmanuel Macron will attend the mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Metz Cathedral on Monday, September 28, after reorganizing his schedule, the Élysée Palace confirmed.
The French head of state had notably been absent from the papal mass held at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, a large-scale event that drew hundreds of thousands of faithful. His decision to attend the Metz ceremony marks a significant shift in his engagement with the pontiff’s historic four-day visit to France.
Schedule Reorganized to Include Cathedral Mass
In addition to participating in the pope’s departure ceremony on Monday, Macron “reorganized his agenda to also attend the mass preceding it at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz,” according to the Élysée.
The mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. local time. Three hours later, at 7:00 p.m., Pope Leo XIV will depart French territory from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport, bound for Rome, concluding his four-day apostolic visit.
Extended Conversation Planned
The pope has expressed a desire to continue his discussions with the French president. According to sources close to Macron, Pope Leo XIV told him it “would please him to extend their rich conversation from Friday” during Monday evening’s departure ceremony.
The two leaders had previously discussed matters of “peace, artificial intelligence, Europe, and the situation in Lebanon” during their meeting at the Élysée Palace on Friday.
Contrast with Paris Mass Attendance
While Macron hosted the pope at the Élysée on Friday, he did not attend the papal mass organized in Paris. First Lady Brigitte Macron was present at the Place de la Concorde, alongside Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Senate President Gérard Larcher, and National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet.
The Paris mass drew an estimated 800,000 faithful in what was described as a joyous and historic gathering. The pope’s visit has generated extraordinary public enthusiasm across France, with massive crowds gathering at every stop on his itinerary, including Lourdes.
Security Preparations Underway in Metz
Authorities in Metz have implemented extensive security measures ahead of the pope’s arrival, including bomb disposal experts, sniffer dogs, and anti-drone jamming equipment. The city is preparing to welcome the pontiff under heightened security protocols for what will be the final leg of his French pilgrimage.
