Pope Leo XIV returns to Rome after France visit

Pope Leo XIV returned to Rome and spoke at Saint Peter's Square about the joy and hope he felt following his four day trip to France. The Conference of Bishops of France expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that more than one million people traveled to meet and hear the Pope during his travels.

During the trip, the Pope addressed several topics, including human dignity for those facing poverty, illness, or disability, and the importance of building peace with people of all faiths. He also spoke about priestly and religious vocations, the mission to serve the common good, and the spiritual roots of France and Europe. Other subjects included youth, education, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, supporting victims of sexual violence, and Church unity regarding liturgy.

The event reached a wide audience, with nearly 30 million people in France watching parts of the trip on television.