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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican Journey to France

Pope Leo XIV says forgiveness is stronger than vengeance in Metz homily

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV told the faithful at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz that those who forgive are stronger than those who seek revenge. During a Mass on Monday, September 28, 2026, the pope spoke about peace and reconciliation to conclude his trip to France.

In his homily, the pope addressed the people of the region, noting that they understand the reality of forgiveness because their land was torn apart by fratricidal conflicts in the past. He stated that it is not true that a person seeking vengeance possesses more strength than a person who forgives.

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  11. Oct 31, 9:45 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting
  12. Oct 31, 9:41 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV sets prayer intention for November 2026
  13. Oct 31, 9:07 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with Italian municipalities' representatives
  14. Oct 31, 8:38 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV selects theme for 101st World Mission Day
  15. Oct 31, 8:29 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication
  16. Oct 31, 8:26 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Vatican AI conference participants
  17. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
  18. Oct 31, 8:15 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's charity reaches 2,000 children in Ukraine
  19. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV approves safeguards for Holy See employees
  20. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 Synod undersecretaries
  21. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections
  22. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 2 sources Bishop Arturo Eduardo Fajardo expects Pope Leo XIV to revive faith in Uruguay
  23. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  24. Oct 31, 6:56 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV presented with book on Eucharistic miracle
  25. Oct 31, 6:17 AM PT · 39 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to Assisi peace meeting

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Earlier version, Monday 28 September

Pope Leo XIV says in Metz that "who seeks revenge" is not "stronger than who forgives"

Earlier version, Monday 28 September

Pope Leo XIV says forgiveness is stronger than revenge in Metz homily

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 28, 7:51 AM Vida Nueva Español León XIV cierra su viaje a Francia: “No es verdad que el que se venga es más fuerte que el que perdona”
  2. Sep 28, 9:09 AM cath.ch Français Metz: «Celui qui se venge» n’est pas «plus fort que celui qui pardonne»
  3. Sep 28, 9:12 AM Aleteia Español En Metz, León XIV afirmó que “quien se venga” no es “más fuerte que quien perdona”

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 31, 11:45 AM PT · 31 sources Pope Leo XIV votes by mail in US midterm elections
  2. Oct 31, 11:30 AM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Francesco Cavina as Special Apostolic Visitator for Medjugorje
  3. Oct 31, 11:24 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Oleshky evacuation
  4. Oct 31, 11:15 AM PT Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
  5. Oct 31, 10:35 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives 7,000 pilgrims from Villanova University and University of Notre Dame
  6. Oct 31, 10:32 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  7. Oct 31, 10:17 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV receives delegations from earthquake-affected municipalities in Central Italy
  8. Oct 31, 10:16 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed push to rebuild Central Italy
  9. Oct 31, 9:51 AM PT · 54 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
  10. Oct 31, 9:48 AM PT · 10 sources Pope Leo XIV chooses theme for 101st World Mission Day
  11. Oct 31, 9:45 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting
  12. Oct 31, 9:41 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV sets prayer intention for November 2026
  13. Oct 31, 9:07 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with Italian municipalities' representatives
  14. Oct 31, 8:38 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV selects theme for 101st World Mission Day
  15. Oct 31, 8:29 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication
  16. Oct 31, 8:26 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Vatican AI conference participants
  17. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
  18. Oct 31, 8:15 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's charity reaches 2,000 children in Ukraine
  19. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV approves safeguards for Holy See employees
  20. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 Synod undersecretaries
  21. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections
  22. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 2 sources Bishop Arturo Eduardo Fajardo expects Pope Leo XIV to revive faith in Uruguay
  23. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  24. Oct 31, 6:56 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV presented with book on Eucharistic miracle
  25. Oct 31, 6:17 AM PT · 39 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to Assisi peace meeting

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