Pope Leo XIV gives homily at Notre-Dame de Paris

Pope Leo XIV called on the Church in France to be a missionary community that is open, close to people, and driven by hope during a homily at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on September 25, 2026. Speaking during vespers, the pope addressed bishops, priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters, and seminarians.

The pope urged the clergy and laity to act as messengers of the Gospel and to grow in true love through liturgy and prayer. He described the center of Church life as prayer, liturgy, and friendship with Christ to serve as witnesses of hope, unity, and reconciliation.

Reflecting on the cathedral, the pope noted that the reconstruction process shows the building is more than a monument, representing the heart of a nation where the past and future meet.