French court weighs secular challenge to papal visit subsidy
Secular associations challenge 250,000 euro papal visit subsidy as unconstitutional church-state violation.
Event / Politics
Pope Leo XIV Metz Visit Subsidy Lawsuit
Secular associations in France challenged a municipal subsidy for Pope Leo XIV's September 2026 visit to Metz, raising legal questions about public funding for religious ceremonies.
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2026-08-29 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 29 Aug, 13:05 UTC
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What happened
Metz mayor defends papal visit subsidy as worldwide event
Metz Mayor François Grosdidier (center-right) stated at a July 10 municipal council meeting that he expected the 250,000 euros from the operating budget to be fully spent, characterizing the papal visit as a worldwide event and an immense honor for the city of Metz.
Secular groups challenge papal subsidy as violating church-state separation
The secular associations argue that the subsidy is illegal because it finances equipment directly linked to a religious ceremony. They contend the subsidy violates the principle of church-state separation, though they acknowledge that the 1905 French law separating churches and state does not apply in Moselle or Alsace, where local authorities are permitted to fund religious activities.
Pope Leo XIV scheduled to visit France in late September
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France with stops in Paris on September 25, Metz on September 28, and Lourdes on September 27, with the Metz visit positioned under the theme of Europe.
Secular associations sue Metz municipality over 250,000 euro papal visit subsidy
Two secular associations, the Union of Secular Families (Ufal) of Moselle and Les Profanes, filed a lawsuit with the administrative court of Strasbourg against a municipal subsidy from Metz for Pope Leo XIV's visit scheduled for September 28. The subsidy amounts to 250,000 euros in investments for the event, including funds to purchase large screens for fan-zones where the papal mass at Metz Cathedral will be broadcast.
Emergency procedure filed to block papal visit equipment purchases
The secular associations accompanied their lawsuit with an emergency suspension procedure (référé-suspension) to block the ordering of equipment pending the administrative court's decision on the subsidy's legality.
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