Pope Leo XIV has chosen to keep his visit to France focused on his apostolic mission by declining several protocol invitations.
He declined a state dinner, the awarding of the Legion of Honor, as well as a private meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, despite official discussions at the Élysée Palace.
The Vatican cited scheduling reasons to explain these refusals, but some observers interpret this choice as an intention to emphasize the spiritual aspect of the visit, even though the pontiff is expected to address topics such as European security and peace during his stop in Metz.