Pope Leo XIV visits France

Pope Leo XIV concluded his apostolic journey to France on Monday, September 28, following visits to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.

Sister Nathalie Becquart, the undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, described the trip as a moment of grace that provided hope and renewed awareness to the French Church and society. She noted that the Pope spoke in French to highlight the country's long history of faith and how it shaped the nation's history. Becquart also highlighted the participation of young people and people with disabilities during the visit.

In Metz, the Pope delivered a message of peace, reconciliation, and hope for Europe. Becquart suggested that through the Venerable Robert Schuman, people can see concrete examples of what is possible. Schuman was a lawyer and politician in Metz who helped design the architecture of postwar Europe.