Pope Leo XIV received a warm welcome from large crowds during his official visit to Paris, marking the first papal trip to France in 18 years. On Sunday, the pontiff made a public appearance in the French capital, traveling through city streets in a popemobile decorated with the Vatican’s yellow and white colors, as thousands gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the first US-born pope.
The pope’s procession culminated at the Notre Dame Cathedral, where he presided over events including the inspection of renovation work following the devastating fire of 2019. An estimated 300,000 people assembled along the roadside to witness Leo’s arrival, and many expressed deep emotional responses to seeing the pontiff in person. Among them was Terry Spytek, 83, who had traveled from the United States and described the brief encounter as profoundly moving. Local attendees, such as David Charton from Mulhouse, also showed early dedication by arriving hours prior to the pope’s appearance.
Prior to the procession, Pope Leo addressed concerns over emerging scientific and ethical challenges. Speaking at the presidential palace alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, he emphasized the need to maintain humanity amid growing reliance on artificial intelligence. He cautioned against the unchecked advancement of technology and warned specifically against genetic manipulation, surrogacy, the commercial trade of human organs, and assisted dying. “Wisdom must guide science to ensure it serves the greater good,” he said, highlighting the importance of ethical discernment in education as society navigates these complex issues.
In addition to these themes, the pope called on France to continue its role as a “tireless champion of peace,” a message resonant amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the prolonged conflict following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The visit, which coincides with a time of strained transatlantic relations, also marks the first official trip by a Vatican head of state since Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2008.
Events connected to Pope Leo’s visit are expected to draw around one million people in Paris over the course of two days, reflecting the significance accorded to the occasion both domestically and internationally.