By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-28 14:45:46 | Updated at 2026-09-28 18:36:37
3 hours ago
Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco joined French President Emmanuel Macron as they met Pope Leo XIV this afternoon.
The Pope received a standing ovation as he addressed the conference "At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity" in Metz, marking the concluding day of his four-day tour of France.
The pontiff spoke of a "new stage" in the trajectory of "contemporary Europe," delivering a passionate plea for continental solidarity.
In remarks directed squarely at the continent's youth, he urged them to "not give in to the mentality of violence and oppression" and to "not be afraid to work tirelessly for the good of your communities, including through political engagement."
President Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed Prince Albert and Princess Charlene to the gathering, which was held near the Franco-German border.
Charlene chose a striking all-white suit for the occasion, complemented by a statement collar and a handbag featuring gold detailing.
Mrs Macron, in contrast, appeared in a black dress accessorised with a gold brooch.
Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco joined French President Emmanuel Macron as they met Pope Leo XIV this afternoon
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The conference venue was no accident - Metz is the birthplace of Robert Schuman, one of the founding architects of what would become the European Union.
Every EU head of state received an invitation to attend, alongside the leaders of Europe's principal institutions.
During his address, Pope Leo implored the continent to look to its Christian heritage as a means of overcoming the "desire for domination" that he identified as fuelling today's conflicts.
He also appealed for a readiness to "give up some positions for the greater good of peace," while calling on Europeans to unite against "lies and deceit."
President Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed Prince Albert and Princess Charlene to the gathering, which was held near the Franco-German border
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President Macron is expected to join the pontiff for Mass in Metz later today, further underscoring the significance Paris has attached to the papal visit.
The Metz conference capped what had been a remarkable papal tour of France, the highlight of which was arguably the open-air Mass at Paris's Place de la Concorde on September 26.
More than 600,000 Catholics registered to attend that mid-afternoon service, making it the largest single event of the visit.
Charlene chose a striking all-white suit for the occasion, complemented by a statement collar and a handbag featuring gold detailing
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Eager spectators had gathered along the Champs-Élysées well before dawn, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo as he processed down the famous boulevard in an open-top popemobile.
The encounter between the Monaco royals and the Macrons built upon an already warming relationship.
Albert and Charlene had hosted the French president and his wife for a state dinner last June, the first such occasion involving a French leader in over four decades.
