Updated

Updated · Vatican News - English · Sep 24

Pope Leo Begins 4-Day France Trip to 3 Cities, Carrying Peace Message to Hesitant Europe

Updated

Updated · Vatican News - English · Sep 24

Pope Leo Begins 4-Day France Trip to 3 Cities, Carrying Peace Message to Hesitant Europe

Q: Beyond the Catholic Institute of Paris, what other significant stops are planned for Pope Leo XIV's four-day tour of France?

Beyond the Catholic Institute of Paris, Pope Leo XIV’s four-day France tour includes major stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz. In Paris on Sept. 25, he is scheduled to meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, address authorities and diplomats, visit UNESCO headquarters, celebrate vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral, and hold a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. On Sept. 26, before leaving Paris, he will also visit the Maison Bakhita Center, which supports migrants and people in exile, and celebrate Mass at Place de la Concorde. The trip then shifts to Lourdes, where he is due to pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle, meet the bishops of the French Episcopal Conference, celebrate Mass at the shrine’s prairie, visit the sick and staff at Accueil Notre Dame, meet contemplative Carmelite sisters, and join the torchlight Rosary procession. Vatican and other reporting also indicate a private meeting with abuse victims is part of the Lourdes stage. On Sept. 28, Leo travels to Metz for an interreligious meeting and a gathering titled “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre. He is also scheduled to celebrate a final Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen before returning to Rome.

3 articles · Updated · Vatican News - English · Sep 24

Pope Leo has begun a four-day apostolic journey to France, with stops in Paris, Lourdes and Metz aimed at encouraging French society and the Church.
More than 80% of French people view him favorably, the Vatican envoy said, and registrations for major events in all three cities filled within days.
The visit comes as France faces economic strain, social-cohesion pressures and immigration tensions, issues the pope is expected to address with appeals for cooperation and hope.
Church officials also point to a rise in youth and adult baptisms and renewed interest in prayer, hoping the trip deepens that momentum into a broader Catholic revival.
Metz and UNESCO give the journey a wider European frame, linking Leo's message to Robert Schuman's legacy and to education, culture and peace.