Bishops of France to meet in Lourdes

The bishops of France will meet for an autumn plenary assembly in Lourdes from November 3 to 8, 2026. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, will preside over the meeting, which is expected to include nearly 120 bishops from mainland France and overseas territories.

The assembly includes a review of Pope Leo XIV's apostolic visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026, to develop a roadmap for the Church based on the messages delivered by the Pope. Other scheduled topics include the upcoming presidential election, national news regarding recent protests and violence, and the preparation for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. The bishops will also address the accompaniment of victims of sexual violence within the Church, including follow-up and national decisions for both minors and adults.

A full day of work will be dedicated to Catholic education as part of a three-year project titled "Educational Challenges Today: Intelligence, Conscience, and Freedom." Many diocesan directors will join the bishops to discuss how to better support young people in the current social context.