Pope Leo XIV visits France

Pope Leo XIV completed an apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28, 2026, which included meetings with government officials, religious leaders, and youth.

During the first day in Paris, the pope met with civil authorities at the Élysée Palace and visited UNESCO to speak about peace and education. His schedule included vespers at Notre-Dame de Paris and a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France. On September 26, the pope visited the Maison Bakhita social integration center and met with catechumens at the Catholic Institute of Paris before delivering a homily at the Place de la Concorde.

The trip concluded in Lourdes, where the pope prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle. On September 27, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline gave an introductory address for a meeting between the pope and the bishops of the Conference of Bishops of France. The visit ended with a mass at the Lourdes sanctuary and a torchlight procession.