Bishop Hervé Gosselin calls for dialogue amid France protests

Bishop Hervé Gosselin of Angoulême and Bishop Olivier de Cagny of Évreux are calling for prayer and dialogue in France as nationwide protests and riots continue. The unrest follows the Sept. 25–28 apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to the country.

Bishop Gosselin noted on Oct. 2 that the peace and serenity experienced during the papal visit have been replaced by a difficult reality. The riots began in the Paris region on Sept. 17 and spread across the country after Sept. 28. By Oct. 6, the unrest forced the closure or disruption of nearly 900 of France's 3,700 public high schools.

Bishop de Cagny described the violence as unnecessary, though he acknowledged that many young people face significant fears regarding unemployment, war, climate change, and social isolation. He urged renewed dialogue to end the confrontations.

According to the Ministry of Justice, reported by France Info, more than 5,000 people have been taken into police custody, and several hundred police officers have been injured. The protests involve students, political and union leaders, and rioters who have used fireworks, cobblestones, and fire during demonstrations.