Pope Leo spent about 30 minutes in the cockpit of an Air France flight on Tuesday as he traveled from Lourdes to Metz, marking the final leg of his four-day visit to France, Air France officials said. The pontiff, aged 71 and known for his interest in aviation, engaged in informal conversations with the flight crew during the approximately one-hour journey to the northeastern city near the German border.

Captain Clemence Coussonneau commanded the flight, with co-pilot Eric Marguerite describing the pope’s time in the cockpit as occurring throughout the cruise phase of the trip. Marguerite noted that Pope Leo expressed enthusiasm for aviation, cars, and mechanics during their interaction.

The flight was accompanied by two French Rafale fighter jets flying roughly 50 meters from the aircraft. During the escort, Marguerite handed the microphone to the pope, who then communicated directly with the pilots of the fighter jets. Pope Leo offered his blessing to the Rafale pilots and extended it to all military personnel engaged in protecting populations and promoting peace globally.

In addition to his time in the cockpit, the pope also took the opportunity to greet the cabin crew onboard. Flight attendant Landee Van Keeken described receiving a personal blessing from the pope as a special moment, particularly following the detailed preparations involved in organizing the flight.

Pope Leo’s visit to France has drawn attention not only for its religious significance but also for moments such as this, reflecting his personal interests and close engagement with those accompanying him. The stop in Metz concludes a visit that included several key cities and interactions across the country.