Pope Leo XIV visits Maison Bakhita Center in Paris

Pope Leo XIV visited the Maison Bakhita Center for Social Support and Integration in Paris on September 26, 2026. During the second day of his trip to France, the pope met with vulnerable people at the center, which provides assistance to migrants.

The pope thanked the Archdiocese of Paris, the Scalabrinian Sisters, and the volunteers and staff who serve those seeking welcome, formation, and friendship at the center. He noted that the center's name, referring to Saint Josephine Bakhita, highlights the essential role women play in building a civilization of love as an alternative to cultures that isolate people.

Pope Leo XIV stated that the poor are not a sociological category but are the body of Christ. He encouraged people to notice those who are often overlooked and to free those reduced to slavery by economy and culture. He also emphasized a culture of encounter, noting that no one is so poor that they have nothing to give and no one is so rich that they have nothing to receive.