French Bishops: Papal Visit Will Be a ‘Significant Moment’ for France, Europe and World
The trip includes a 500,000-person Mass in Paris, an 80,000-young-person vigil in Saint-Denis and a private meeting with abuse survivors.
- Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, marking the first papal visit to the country in 18 years. The four-day apostolic journey includes stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz for public Masses and meetings.
- Following the cancellation of a trip to Peru, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline orchestrated the visit after the Pope replied to his proposal, "Yes, this is a good one." Aveline persuaded him to visit France this year despite initial scheduling hesitations.
- Organizers managed the four-month preparation with an estimated €27 million budget, with €5.5 million raised so far. Nearly 500,000 faithful are expected at the Place de la Concorde, while 80,000 young people have registered for a youth vigil at the Stade de France.
- During his travels, the Pope will meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse in a one-hour encounter focused on genuine exchange. He will also visit UNESCO headquarters near the Eiffel Tower and celebrate vespers at Notre Dame with 2,000 bishops and religious figures.
- In Metz, the Pope will honor Robert Schuman, a founder of the European Union declared venerable by Pope Francis in 2021. Archbishop Philippe Ballot described the city as the "heart of Europe," where the visit will emphasize reconciliation and peace.
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From 25 to 28 September 2026, Léon XIV travelled to France for his first visit since his induction. He passed through Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
The first visit of the Pontiff to the country of Gaul unleashes a wave of fervor, editorial success and unprecedented economic mobilization
Pope's visit to France likely to attract 1M people, with Mass and vigil in Paris and Lourdes trip
Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming trip to France, which marks the first official papal state visit to the country in 18 years, is expected to attract more than 1 million people, according to the Bishops' Conference of France (CEF).
Leo XIV is sequenced to visit France from September 25 to 28. Hundreds of thousands of factual are expected in the streets of the capital, where the pontiff will hang two days, and 80,000 young people are set to take part in a watch at the Stade de France.
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