After three days in France, Pope Leo XIV is expected in Metz on Monday, where he will celebrate Mass before 12,000 people in the afternoon. The city is fully prepared to welcome the head of the Catholic Church, who lands at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport around 9 a.m.
A helicopter circles above the two-kilometer route that Leo XIV will travel in the popemobile before 60,000 spectators. The city center is completely closed to cars, with gendarmes deployed on motorcycles throughout the narrow streets. The pope’s arrival dominates conversation across the city.
“It’s the second time a pope has come to Metz,” one passerby noted.
Local Businesses Catch the Wave of Excitement
Anne-Laure, who runs a café a few hundred meters from the cathedral, described the atmosphere. “There’s a real buzz. Even if we can’t quite grasp how many people will turn out for the pope’s arrival, everyone is talking about it. For over a week, it’s been the topic of conversation in the café from morning to night,” she said.
“We’re really talking about this exceptional day for the city of Metz.”
Across the street, Bernard owns an art gallery and has displayed two works in his window that have drawn considerable attention. “On the right, we have a creation by a Chinese artist” depicting John Paul II, seated and dressed in white against a red background. “On the left is a print by Bernard Buffet showing Christ on the cross with Mary Magdalene. We’re simply playing along—we have this extraordinary chance in Metz to host the pope as a visitor. And of course, it creates tremendous enthusiasm,” he said with delight.
Faithful Gather Ahead of the Mass
Behind the barriers erected in front of Saint-Etienne Cathedral, the faithful, tourists, and locals have come to see the preparations. Yannick was already there in 1988 to welcome John Paul II. “We’ve known for three months that the pope is coming to Metz,” he said.
“The fervor has grown because welcoming the pope to a city of 130,000 people is truly exceptional.”
But Yannick was unable to get a seat, so he will follow the Mass from home. “We’ll see far more detail on television than by coming here,” he said.
Mass Logistics and Attendance
Some 12,000 people will attend the Mass this afternoon—2,000 inside the venue and 10,000 across four “pope zones” equipped with giant screens. President Emmanuel Macron will attend the final Mass of Leo XIV’s visit to France, according to reports.
The pope’s visit to Metz marks the fourth and final day of his journey through France, following stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, and Lourdes.
