Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday, September 25, 2026, for a four-day apostolic journey to Paris, Metz, and the Catholic shrine at Lourdes. Describing himself as a pilgrim of peace
for a world at war, the first U.S.-born pope is visiting the country for the first time in nearly 20 years. Church bells tolled across France as his charter flight landed at Paris’ Orly airport, where he was greeted by President Emmanuel Macron.
Pope Leo XIV Begins Four-Day Apostolic Journey to France
The visit, which concludes on Monday, is described as both a religious and diplomatic event. According to Le Monde, an apostolic journey
differs from a state visit because the pope serves as both the head of the Vatican City State and the global leader of the Catholic Church, combining pastoral, diplomatic, and symbolic dimensions.
Addressing Artificial Intelligence and Global Challenges
A primary focus of the pontiff’s agenda is the impact of artificial intelligence. Pope Leo is scheduled to speak at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris on Friday, where he is expected to address global challenges posed by AI. He has previously urged world leaders to govern wisely
regarding the technology, and his encyclical on the subject, Magnifica Humanitas, has already had a significant impact in France.
At the Élysée Palace, the pope will meet with President Macron and other French leaders. According to Macron’s office, these discussions will cover international affairs, European issues, climate change, and AI. However, France 24 reports that Macron is not expected to attend any religious services, and no private meeting between the two leaders is scheduled, officially due to the pope’s dense itinerary.
Clashes Over Secularism and Human Life
The visit occurs amidst tension between the Catholic Church and the French government over “laïcité,” the country’s strict legal separation of church and state. The French Catholic hierarchy has strongly opposed two recent legal milestones: the 2024 constitutional enshrining of the right to abortion and a law passed earlier this year legalizing assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses.
While the Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred and opposes capital punishment, abortion, and assisted dying, Vatican editorial director Andrea Tornielli stated that the pope is not visiting to condemn anyone
or enter the polarized French political debate. Instead, he is expected to encourage a higher-level reflection on what it means to be human.
Healing and Accountability After Abuse Scandals
Church leaders hope the trip will help repair the standing of the Catholic Church following a 2021 report. That report found that Catholic clergy and lay leaders had abused approximately 330,000 French children over seven decades. Although French bishops have implemented safeguarding measures and compensation, survivors continue to demand greater accountability.
As part of his itinerary, Pope Leo will lead a prayer service on Friday at the restored Notre-Dame cathedral. This marks the first papal visit to the Gothic masterpiece since the devastating fire of 2019.
Logistics and Security
French authorities are preparing for massive crowds, with expectations that up to one million people may turn out to see the pope. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 37,000 security forces would be deployed. For a Mass scheduled at the Place de la Concorde on Saturday, officials are implementing a protective perimeter system similar to the one used during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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