Pope Leo arrived in France on Friday, September 25, 2026, for a four-day visit aimed at promoting peace and addressing the Catholic Church's standing after abuse scandals. Upon arrival at Paris Orly airport, he was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, as well as children who sang for him and requested autographs. The Pope's visit comes at a time when the world is experiencing conflict, and he expressed his desire to be a "pilgrim of peace."
During his visit, Pope Leo is set to deliver speeches to President Macron and other French leaders at the Elysee Palace, as well as to staff at the UNESCO headquarters. He will also travel to the renowned Catholic shrine at Lourdes and to Metz, on the German border. The Pope's agenda includes renewing calls for global rules on AI development and outlining a vision for Europe's future. On the plane to Paris, he told reporters that his message of peace is particularly important at this time.
Pope Leo's visit to France is significant, as the country has witnessed a decline in affiliation to the Catholic Church. According to a report by the official statistics agency INSEE, only 25% of French 18-to-49-year-olds identify as Catholic, compared to 43% a decade earlier. Despite this, the French Bishops' Conference has reported an increase in baptisms of adults. The Pope's message of peace and hope has been welcomed by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, with Antoine Barxias-Casties, a Catholic passer-by, stating that the visit "sends a wonderful signal to the country."
Artificial intelligence is a major concern for Pope Leo, who has called for global rules to oversee the industry. During his speech at the Vatican on Thursday, he stated that AI could benefit humanity but also introduced "new dangers to security and international peace." The Pope will address this issue at UNESCO, emphasizing the need for global leaders to "govern wisely" in overseeing the technology. This topic is particularly relevant, given the rapid development and deployment of AI worldwide.
Pope Leo's visit to France also comes amid tensions between Catholic leaders and the government over several issues, including the 2024 enshrining of a right to abortion in the French constitution and the passage of a law legalizing assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses. The Catholic Church opposes these measures, teaching that all human life is sacred. The Pope will lead a prayer service at the restored Notre-Dame cathedral, which was nearly destroyed by a devastating fire in 2019.
Meeting with abuse survivors is a crucial aspect of Pope Leo's visit. He will meet seven French victims of abuse by Catholic clergy on Sunday in Lourdes. A 2021 report found that approximately 330,000 French children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over seven decades. French bishops have since implemented compensation and safeguarding measures, but survivors continue to press Church leaders for accountability. Alain Esquerre, a spokesperson for victims, stated that the Pope bears the "immense responsibility of 'declaring enough is enough'."
The Pope's French tour will culminate in Metz on Sunday with a speech on "the roots of Europe for peace and unity." This visit marks the first official papal visit to France in nearly 20 years. Local Church leaders hope that the trip will help repair the Church's standing after years of scandal and criticism. Key points of the visit include:
Key points
- The Pope's emphasis on global AI regulation and its implications for security and international peace.
- His meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders to discuss peace and the Church's role in promoting unity.
- The Pope's meeting with abuse survivors and his call for accountability within the Church.
