The pope lands in France for state visit

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France for the Vatican’s first state visit in 18 years, aiming to address issues like artificial intelligence, clerical abuse, and European peace during a four-day trip including major events in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. His visit, which draws large crowds amid rising secularism and upcoming French elections, underscores the Church's effort to engage with contemporary social challenges and promote unity in a divided Europe.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Saturday, marking the Vatican’s first state visit to the country in 18 years. The pontiff, who is the first U.S.-born pope and has French ancestry through his paternal grandmother, landed near Paris just before 10 a.m. local time to begin a four-day trip focused on a range of pressing issues including artificial intelligence, the experiences of young believers, and the future of Europe.

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed the 71-year-old pontiff at the airport. This visit is the first official trip by a Vatican head of state since Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2008. Large crowds are anticipated throughout Paris, with an estimated one million people expected to attend events during the initial two days of the visit.

A highlight of the pope’s itinerary is a major mass scheduled for Sunday at Place de la Concorde, extending along the Champs-Élysées. In addition to the Paris events, Pope Leo plans to visit Lourdes, a significant pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide, and the city of Metz, located near the German border. Metz holds historical importance due to its association with Robert Schuman, a key architect of the modern European Union.

During his visit, Pope Leo is expected to address a variety of global and regional concerns. These include the ethical challenges posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the ongoing migration crisis, clerical sexual abuse within the Church, and the pursuit of peace amid the ongoing conflict in Europe. The pope’s remarks come seven months ahead of the French presidential elections, where the far-right parties are gaining considerable attention.

On Saturday afternoon, the pope made a 2.5-kilometer journey through central Paris in the pope-mobile, stopping at the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This marked the first visit by a pope since the cathedral’s major renovation following the 2019 fire. Notably, Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, never officially attended the reopening ceremonies in 2024, which featured prominent guests such as then president-elect Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk.

While regular church attendance remains low in France—with only about 5% of the population attending Catholic services regularly—the number of adult baptisms has been increasing in recent years. This shift comes amid France’s deeply secular society, which has constitutionally protected abortion rights and approved assisted dying for some patients.

The pope’s visit also includes a sensitive meeting at Lourdes with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse. A 2021 inquiry revealed that more than 330,000 minors had been abused by clergy or lay Church members in France over several decades. Recent allegations have also surfaced involving prominent figures such as the late Abbe Pierre and staff at a Catholic boarding school near Lourdes.

Pope Leo’s itinerary concludes on Monday in Metz, where he is expected to deliver a speech focused on promoting peace in Europe as the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year.

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