Pope Leo Arrives in France for Visit Spanning Faith and Politics
The pope will meet President Emmanuel Macron, address AI and human dignity, and seek to rebuild trust after abuse scandals.
- President Emmanuel Macron formally welcomed Pope Leo XIV at the Élysée Palace on Friday, marking the start of a four-day state visit to France that runs through Monday.
- France's 1905 law strictly separates church and state, creating friction as the Catholic Church opposes recent legislation enshrining abortion rights and legalizing assisted dying for adults.
- Security forces deployed 14,000 personnel across Paris as Leo prepares to address UNESCO on artificial intelligence; 600,000 pilgrims registered for Saturday's outdoor mass at Place de la Concorde.
- In Lourdes on Sunday, Leo will privately meet seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse, confronting the Church's legacy after a 2021 report found 330,000 French children were abused over seven decades.
- Monday's final stop in Metz will feature Leo addressing EU leaders on "the roots of Europe for peace and unity," reinforcing the Church's vision for European unity amid ongoing conflict.
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ledauphine.com
The sovereign pontiff arrived in France Friday, welcomed to the airport by Emmanuel Macron before a ceremony at the Elysée. The arrival of Leo XIV, from 25 to 28 September, is the first official state visit of a pope in France in eighteen years. Previously, Benedict XVI had been welcomed by Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 and John Paul II by Valéry Giscard-d'Estaing in 1980. Pope Francis had never come to Paris, but to Strasbourg, Marseilles and Ajaccio.
The Local - Fr
Insider PaperPope arrives in France on first official visit in 18 years
Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for the Vatican's first official visit to the European nation in 18 years, with artificial intelligence, young believers and the continent's future near the top of his agenda.
Pope Leo XIV was welcomed this Friday, September 25 upon his arrival at Orly Airport, near Paris, by Emmanuel Macron, the Republican Guard and a group of children.
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