Pope Leo XIV has begun a four-day visit to France, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take part in public events during his journey through Paris, Lourdes and Metz. The visit, which runs from September 25 to 28, is the pope’s fifth international apostolic journey and his first visit to France as pontiff.
The trip is attracting particular attention in Paris, where preparations have been underway for a major open-air Mass expected to draw around 600,000 people. The celebration is scheduled to take place at the Place de la Concorde, with a large area around the Champs-Élysées being secured for the event. French authorities have introduced traffic restrictions and other security measures as they prepare for the large crowds.
Pope Leo arrived in Paris on Friday after departing Rome aboard the papal plane. His programme includes meetings with French political and religious leaders, young people and members of civil society. He is also scheduled to visit UNESCO, where issues involving technology, peace and society are expected to feature prominently.
Artificial intelligence is among the subjects receiving international attention during the visit. Pope Leo has previously called for technology to be developed in ways that protect human dignity and promote cooperation rather than division. His engagement with the subject comes as governments and international organisations continue to debate how rapidly developing AI systems should be governed.
Another important moment in Paris will come at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Pope Leo is scheduled to lead prayer and meet members of the French Catholic community at the historic cathedral, which reopened after extensive restoration following the devastating 2019 fire. The visit provides an opportunity to highlight the cultural and religious importance of the landmark.
The pope's journey will also address one of the most difficult issues facing the Catholic Church in France: the legacy of clerical sexual abuse. During his stop in Lourdes, Pope Leo is expected to meet survivors of abuse. Reuters reported that survivors are hoping the encounter will contribute to deeper reforms and greater accountability within the Church.
After Paris and Lourdes, Pope Leo will travel to Metz in northeastern France. His programme there includes discussions focused on Europe, peace and unity, as well as an interreligious meeting and a Mass at Metz Cathedral. Vatican officials have described the Metz stage as an opportunity to address Europe's future and the importance of cooperation among peoples.
The visit comes at a time when France remains a strongly secular society, even as Catholic communities continue to organise large public gatherings and report renewed interest among some young people. Analysts have cautioned that growing participation in particular Catholic activities does not necessarily represent a broad religious revival.
For Paris, the immediate challenge is managing the enormous crowds while maintaining security and normal city operations. For the Vatican, the journey offers an opportunity for Pope Leo to communicate on faith, human dignity, technology, peace and the Church's response to its abuse crisis.
With hundreds of thousands preparing to gather for the main Mass, the pope's four-day French journey is set to combine major religious celebrations with diplomatic meetings and discussions about issues extending well beyond the Catholic Church.