Pope Leo XIV meets authorities at the Élysée Palace

Pope Leo XIV met with the French president, government authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace in Paris on September 25, 2026. During his first speech of his trip to France, the Pope spoke about the importance of protecting the right to life as the foundation for all other human rights.

The Pope warned against genetic manipulation, surrogate motherhood, and the availability of programmed death. His address also covered topics including artificial intelligence, secularism, and the pursuit of a peace that is unarmed and disarming.

In his remarks to the president, the Pope noted that France has historically served as a spiritual and cultural center for the world through its universities and academies. He also mentioned the restoration of the Notre-Dame cathedral as an example of French expertise and the collaboration between public and private institutions.