Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Paris, Lourdes, and Metz in France from 26 to 28 September. His first stop in Paris will be a visit to the Maison Bakhita migrant community centre, which was founded by the Paris diocese in response to Pope Francis's 2017 call to "welcome, protect, promote and integrate" migrants. The centre provides a space for people to find company, learn French, or train in various skills.
The Maison Bakhita centre was named after Josephine Bakhita, an enslaved Sudanese woman who became a nun and was later canonized. Located in Paris's 18th district, the centre is dedicated to welcoming refugees and other exiles, regardless of their official paperwork status. The centre's president, Valérie Moniod, believes that Pope Leo XIV's visit is significant, especially with the presidential election just seven months away.
Several candidates in the upcoming French presidential election have made controlling immigration a central promise of their campaigns. However, Moniod says that Pope Leo XIV's visit is a reminder that "when we speak of migrants, we are dealing with people first and foremost, not problems." She adds that welcoming people from elsewhere is "part of the Church's social doctrine."
During his visit to the Maison Bakhita centre, Pope Leo XIV will meet six people of different faiths and nationalities, including Algerian, Afghan, Belarusian, Iraqi, and Ivorian individuals. Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich will also attend the visit, which is expected to last around 30 minutes. The centre will be closed to the public during the visit.
The Maison Bakhita centre is run in partnership with several charities, including Aux Captifs, la Libération, which helps homeless people and victims of prostitution or human trafficking. The organization's director-general, Thierry Desjuzeur, hopes that meeting the Pope will be "a turning point and a catalyst in their life journey" for the centre's guests.
Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly championed the cause of migrants since taking office in May 2025. He has criticized the crackdown on immigration under United States President Donald Trump and urged US and European leaders to do more to protect and assist vulnerable migrants. During his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa in July, he visited a memorial and emphasized the importance of protecting human dignity.
As Pope Leo XIV visits the Maison Bakhita centre, he brings a message of "love, simplicity and kindness," according to Bernisse Ngoma, a Congolese woman who received help at the centre upon her arrival in France. The visit is also significant for centre regulars like Charlotte, who comes to the centre every week for painting classes and feels inspired by the Pope's presence.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV visits Paris migrant centre to promote humanity and dignity ahead of French election.
- The Maison Bakhita centre provides a space for migrants to find company, learn French, and train in various skills.
- Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly championed the cause of migrants since taking office in May 2025.
