The Princely couple meet Pope Leo XIV in Metz

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène were in Metz in France on Monday, attending a European peace meeting on the final day of Pope Leo XIV's four-day visit to the country. The Princely couple were invited by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron.

The Princely couple were received by the President and his wife in Metz. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco Arriving at the Robert Schuman convention centre. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco

• Meeting the Pope with the President

Together with the Macrons, the Prince and Princess met Pope Leo XIV at the Robert Schuman convention centre in Metz. The meeting, titled «To the roots of Europe for peace and unity», brought European leaders together around the themes of peace and unity.

Pope Leo XIV in conversation with the Princely and Presidential couples. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco

• The city that honours Robert Schuman

Metz lies in eastern France, close to the border with Luxembourg and Germany. The Pope went there to honour Robert Schuman, the French statesman regarded as one of the founders of European cooperation after the Second World War.

The Princely couple talking with the President before the meeting. Photo: Palais Princier de Monaco

• A call for patient dialogue

In his address Pope Leo XIV urged Europe to draw on its Christian roots and its tradition of dialogue in order to blunt what he described as the desire for domination that drives today's wars.

«We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace», the Pope said.

• Few heads of state present

Only a handful of European leaders joined Macron, and most came from smaller states. Alongside Monaco, Andorra and Luxembourg were represented.