Pope Leo XIV will embark on his fifth apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28, visiting Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, according to the Holy See Press Office. The Vatican released the official itinerary, logo, and motto for the trip on Friday, August 7, outlining a dense schedule that includes addresses at UNESCO, meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, and a private gathering with abuse survivors.
Pope Leo XIV Itinerary and Schedule in Paris
According to the Holy See Press Office schedule, the apostolic journey begins on Friday, September 25, when Pope Leo XIV departs Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 7:50 a.m. local time and lands at Paris-Orly Airport at 10:00 a.m. Following a welcome ceremony, the Pontiff travels to the Élysée Palace to visit French President Emmanuel Macron at 11:00 a.m., according to Vatican News. President Macron previously visited the Vatican for an audience on April 10.
At 11:45 a.m., the Pope addresses civil authorities, society members, and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace. He then visits UNESCO headquarters at 3:00 p.m. to deliver his second address. At 5:15 p.m., the Pontiff presides over Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and seminarians inside the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. The cathedral reopened to the public on December 8, 2024, following a devastating fire in 2019. Friday’s schedule concludes at 9:00 p.m. with a youth prayer vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Did you know? The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopened its doors to the public on December 8, 2024, following a fire in 2019.
Visits to Maison Bakhita and Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes
On Saturday, September 26, Pope Leo XIV starts his day at 9:00 a.m. at the Maison Bakhita Social Support and Integration Center in Paris, a migrant and exile facility established by the Archdiocese of Paris in 2021. Named after the Sudanese religious sister and symbol of the anti-slavery struggle, the center provides language and job training, family support, and trauma recovery care. The Pope greets visitors and patients before heading to the Institut Catholique de Paris at 10:15 a.m. to address provincial synodal assembly members, catechumens, and neophytes.
At 3:00 p.m., the Pontiff celebrates Mass at the Place de la Concórdia. He departs Paris-Orly Airport at 5:45 p.m. for Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport, arriving at 7:05 p.m. At 7:40 p.m., he prays at the Grotto of the Apparitions of Massabielle within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. On Sunday, September 27, the Pope meets with the French Bishops’ Conference at 9:00 a.m. in the Sainte-Bernadette hemicircle, celebrates Mass at the Sanctuary’s Prairie at 11:00 a.m., visits Notre-Dame Accueil workers and guests at 3:30 p.m., holds a private meeting with contemplative nuns at the Carmelite Monastery at 4:45 p.m., and leads the Rosary and torchlight procession at 9:00 p.m., according to Vatican reports.
Interfaith Dialogue and Peace Meetings in Metz
The final day of the journey on Monday, September 28, takes Pope Leo XIV to Metz, located in northeastern France near the Luxembourg border. The city is the birthplace of Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union. Departing Lourdes at 7:40 a.m., the Pope arrives at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport at 9:20 a.m. At 10:00 a.m., he participates in an interfaith meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre, followed by an address at 11:00 a.m. titled “At the roots of Europe for peace and unity,” as outlined by the Holy See.
At 4:00 p.m., the Pontiff celebrates Mass and delivers a homily at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, a neo-gothic landmark known as the “Lantern of God” for its more than 6,500 square meters of stained glass. A farewell ceremony takes place at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport at 6:30 p.m., with the papal flight departing at 7:00 p.m. and landing back at Rome Fiumicino Airport at 8:50 p.m.
Official Logo, Motto, and Abuse Survivor Meetings
The Holy See Press Office detailed the visual and thematic elements of the apostolic journey. The visit’s logo features a circular stained-glass window reminiscent of Gothic cathedral rose windows, symbolizing communion and unity. At its center, an ogival arch and cross represent the apostolic and liturgical dimensions of the trip, while a dove carrying an olive branch evokes the Holy Spirit and peace. The color palette incorporates blue, white, red, yellow-orange, and green to blend French and Vatican symbolism. The official motto is “Para que o mundo tenha vida.”
The Vatican also confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with individuals who suffered abuse within the Church, with survivors participating directly in the planning of the gathering. Specific dates, locations, and participant counts will be released at a later time, according to the Press Office statement. This meeting follows a similar encounter held during the Pope’s prior visit to Spain, addressing ongoing structural reforms and reparation processes within the French Church.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates of Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France?
The apostolic journey runs from September 25 to 28, following the official schedule released by the Holy See Press Office on August 7.
Which cities will the Pope visit during his French tour?
The Pontiff will visit Paris, Lourdes, and Metz during his four-day visit.
What is the motto for the apostolic journey?
The official motto for the trip is “Para que o mundo tenha vida.”
Will the Pope meet with abuse survivors?
Yes, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with abuse survivors during the trip, with survivors assisting in the preparations.
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