Pope Leon XIV's visit to France will be marked by an unprecedented security operation, with 14,000 police, gendarmes, and military personnel deployed on the first day of his four-day trip. The visit, which begins on Friday, is expected to draw large crowds, with up to a million people anticipated in Paris alone. The massive security operation is being led by the French Ministry of Interior, with Laurent Nuñez, the Minister of Interior, describing it as a "dispositif exceptionnel".
The security operation will be focused on Paris, where the Pope will spend two days. On Friday, 14,000 police, gendarmes, and military personnel will be deployed, along with 2,500 firefighters. On Saturday, the number of security personnel will be reduced to 12,000, with the same number of firefighters. The security operation will also involve a thousand members of the security forces in Lourdes, where the Pope is expected on Saturday.
The French authorities have emphasized that the security operation is a significant challenge, but they have not identified any specific threats. According to Laurent Nuñez and Patrice Faure, the Prefect of Police for Paris, no particular threat has been identified, but the authorities are taking no chances. A senior police officer said that the authorities are preparing for every eventuality, including potential actions by groups such as Femen or anti-abuse collectives.
The Pope's visit is expected to draw a huge global audience, with the Catholic community worldwide following the event closely. The Pope will visit several locations in France, including Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. In Paris, he will address a crowd of up to 600,000 people at the Place de la Concorde, where he will hold a mass. He will also visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and hold a vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
The French authorities are drawing on their experience of managing large events, including the 2024 Olympic Games. The Prefecture of Police for Paris has a reputation for handling complex security operations, and they are confident of delivering a safe and secure event. According to Hélène Denéchère, the spokesperson for the Prefecture of Police, the authorities are preparing for a "million" people to gather in Paris.
The Pope's visit will involve a significant logistical operation, with over a thousand coaches and cars expected to be on the roads. The authorities are working to minimize disruptions to daily life in Paris, while ensuring that the Pope and his entourage can move safely through the city. The Pope's motorcade will be escorted by security forces, and a special "bubble" of security personnel will be formed around his vehicle.
The Pope's visit to France will conclude on Monday, when he arrives in Metz. The event is expected to be a significant moment for the Catholic community in France and around the world. The French authorities are working hard to ensure that the visit is a success, and that the Pope and his entourage are able to move freely and safely through the country.
Key points
- A massive security operation will be deployed for Pope Leon XIV's four-day visit to France.
- Up to a million people are expected to gather in Paris for the Pope's visit.
- The French authorities are drawing on their experience of managing large events, including the 2024 Olympic Games.
