Pope Leo XIV has arrived in France for a visit that centers on themes of peace, unity, and reconciliation across Europe. The pontiff arrived at Paris Orly Airport at 10 a.m. Friday before meeting President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. After the meeting with the president, the pope met with representatives from civil society, government, and diplomatic groups.
He also spoke at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris on Friday afternoon. The visit carried added significance because the United States plans to withdraw from UNESCO at the end of December 2026. The organization has said the U.S. currently accounts for about 8 percent of its overall budget.
That evening, Pope Leo XIV attended Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral and delivered a homily. He concluded the night with a prayer vigil held for young people at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis.
The trip is the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades. Pope Benedict XVI made the last official papal visit to the country in 2008.
On Saturday, he will visit the Maison Bakhita Centre in Paris, a facility dedicated to helping people living in exile. The center was established in response to a call made by Pope Francis in 2017 to welcome and integrate migrants. Maison Bakhita opened in 2021 and is operated by the Diocese of Paris.
Later that day, the pope will meet members of a provincial synodal assembly, catechumens and newly baptized Catholics at the Institut Catholique de Paris before heading to Lourdes for a pilgrimage. He is also scheduled to celebrate a major outdoor Mass at Place de la Concorde in Paris before departing for Lourdes.
In Lourdes, he is scheduled to pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions and celebrate Mass. On Sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV will speak with bishops from France’s Episcopal Conference at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. He will then attend Mass at the Prairie of the Shrine and visit a healthcare facility where pilgrims stay during their visits.
The pope will also meet with contemplative religious sisters at the Carmelite Monastery in Lourdes before ending his Sunday evening with a torchlight Rosary procession. During his Sunday visit, Pope Leo XIV is expected to meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse committed within the Catholic Church in France, according to a report from Al Jazeera.
A 2021 independent investigation estimated that about 330,000 minors were sexually abused by clergy, religious personnel and other people connected with the Catholic Church in France over roughly seven decades. The report estimated that about 216,000 minors were abused by priests or other clergy and religious personnel.
The Church has faced further scandals since then, including accusations against Abbé Pierre and widespread abuse at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram boarding school. Survivors and advocacy groups have continued to press the Church for accountability and compensation.
On his final day in France, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Metz for a conference focused on Europe’s role in promoting peace and unity. He is also scheduled to attend an interreligious meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre. He will conclude his trip with Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen before flying out of France on Monday night at 7 p.m.
Security for the pope’s visit in Paris has been extensive, with about 14,000 police officers, gendarmes and military personnel deployed. Thousands of firefighters have also been assigned to security and emergency operations surrounding the visit. Many streets and public transportation stations have been closed during the visit to ensure safety.
Police in Paris have begun removing bicycles from areas near the pope’s planned route, Euronews reported. Barricades and police tape have been set up along Boulevard Saint-Michel, with notices posted to warn drivers and cyclists of parking bans. Notre-Dame Cathedral has also seen preparations, including the installation of seats and presence of a bomb disposal vehicle. A banner at Notre-Dame-des-Champs church welcomed the pope to Paris.
The pope’s visit is not only focused on domestic issues in France but also addresses broader global concerns like artificial intelligence and the role of faith in modern society. His visit to UNESCO includes a focus on artificial intelligence, technology, education and the role of international cooperation.
France recently passed a law allowing assisted dying for adults with serious and incurable illnesses. The legislation received final approval from the National Assembly in July and was promulgated in August. It allows eligible adults under specified medical conditions to request access to a lethal substance. The French Catholic Church has strongly opposed the measure.
The final stop in Metz will turn the focus toward Europe. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to address a meeting titled “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” before celebrating Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen and returning to Rome.