Pope Leo XIV argues for faith in public life in France

Pope Leo XIV argued that religious institutions and the state can work together to defend human dignity and the common good during his visit to France. Speaking to government officials, civil society leaders, and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace on Sept. 25, the pope suggested that the country's tradition of secularism, or laïcité, does not require the exclusion of religion from education or the public sphere. He stated that true secularity involves maintaining a dialogue between the state and religious institutions to serve the common good.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the pope at the Élysée Palace, offering a similar view of the nation's secular tradition. Macron said that French laïcité is not a negation of religion and that it protects the freedom to believe or not believe both in private and in public. He noted that the pope's message would appeal to the conscience of all French people.

The visit to Paris is part of a larger apostolic journey scheduled from Sept. 25 to 28. This marks the first official papal state visit to France in 18 years.