METZ, France, Sept. 30, 2026 — A video circulating online appears to show Pope Leo XIV greeting members of a line of clergy while passing a Black clergyman without stopping. The moment has prompted questions about the encounter during the Pope’s visit to France, which concluded on September 28.
The available clip does not establish why the Pope passed the man, whether they spoke at another point, or whether the omission was deliberate. The man’s identity and role have not been independently confirmed. Those limits matter when assessing an interaction that lasted only seconds.
The Vatican’s official itinerary confirms that Pope Leo celebrated Mass at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Metz on September 28. In his homily there, he spoke of “the harmony of differences,” a message that gives particular weight to the concerns raised by viewers who felt the apparent omission was hurtful.
The video has renewed discussion about whether all members of the Church feel equally seen and welcomed. A fuller recording or an account from those present could clarify what happened. Until then, the footage supports reporting the apparent missed greeting, but it does not establish discrimination or the Pope’s intent.
