The administrative court in Strasbourg recently rejected a challenge brought by two secularist groups who wanted to block a 250,000 euro subsidy from the city of Metz for setting up large screens during the Pope's visit. The court ruled that the event serves the general public interest and does not conflict with the principle of secularism in Alsace-Moselle, a region in northeastern France where the 1905 law separating church and state does not apply. This law, which guarantees secularism in most of France, is not in force in Alsace-Moselle, where religious institutions have a more prominent role in public life. The court emphasized that the Pope's upcoming visit to France, scheduled from September 25 to 28, 2026, is an international event expected to bring a large number of visitors and generate substantial cultural and economic benefits. The mayor of Metz, François Grosdidier, welcomed the court's decision, stating that it affirms the funding is appropriate for the public interest, ensuring safety and the proper organization of the event. The two groups, the Union of Secular Families (Ufal) of Moselle and the association Les Profanes, had argued that funding such an event—particularly one involving a religious ceremony—violated the principles of secularism. However, the court's ruling does not officially declare the funding legal; that decision will be made after the Pope's visit, when further legal arguments can be presented. Pope XIV is expected to conclude his visit in Metz with a focus on Europe before traveling to Paris on September 25 and then to Lourdes on September 27. The event is part of a broader religious and cultural itinerary, highlighting the Pope's engagement with both the Catholic community and the wider European public.