Pope Leo XIV, the first US pontiff, began his four-day trip to France on a note of unity and compassion, meeting with migrants at Maison Bakhita, an association supporting refugees. He emphasized the possibility of living together in dignity and peace, a message seen as crucial with France gearing up for elections next year. The Pope's visit comes as the European nation faces a critical juncture, with the anti-immigration far right seeking to capitalize on concerns about migration.
The Pope's trip marks the first official papal visit to France in 18 years, and it has generated significant enthusiasm among the faithful. On Friday, an estimated 300,000 people turned out to see him as he waved to the crowds from his popemobile on the way to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Pope has been vocal about the need for humane treatment of migrants, having previously described their treatment in the United States as "extremely disrespectful."
On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV will lead a giant open-air mass at Place de la Concorde and along the Champs Elysees, with around 600,000 people expected to attend. Several presidential hopefuls, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Edouard Philippe, have confirmed their attendance, although President Emmanuel Macron will not be there. The mass is seen as a significant event, with the Pope seeking to promote a message of unity and compassion.
The Pope's visit to Maison Bakhita was intended to highlight the importance of encountering one another and living together in dignity and peace. He met with women and men from various countries, including Algeria, Belarus, Iraq, and the Ivory Coast, and emphasized the need for a shared sense of humanity. Association president Valerie Moniod noted that the Pope's visit was a "message" in the run-up to elections, stressing that, regardless of political convictions, people share a common humanity and a right to dignity.
During his trip, Pope Leo XIV has also addressed the issue of artificial intelligence, stressing the need for ethics to avoid an AI-driven "paradise of machines." He has also urged France to remain a "tireless champion of peace," particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Pope's words have resonated with young adults, whom he described as the "saints of France" and encouraged to play a role in the Church.
The Pope's visit to France comes at a time of significant challenge for the country, with concerns about migration, elections, and the role of the Church in a deeply secular society. Only around 5% of France's 69 million residents attend Catholic church services regularly, although more teenagers and adults are taking the plunge and getting baptized. The Pope's trip is seen as an opportunity to reinvigorate spiritual fervor and promote a message of unity and compassion.
After the mass in Paris, Pope Leo XIV will head to Lourdes, where he will speak with victims of clerical sex abuse and address the issue of peace in Europe. A 2021 inquiry found that clergy or lay members of the Church had abused around 330,000 people as minors in France over seven decades, and further accusations have emerged in recent years. The Pope's visit is seen as a significant moment for the Church to confront its past and promote a new era of accountability and healing.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV urges life in 'dignity and peace' amid migration concerns in France
- The Pope leads a giant open-air mass in Paris, attended by hundreds of thousands
- Pope Leo XIV addresses issues of AI, peace, and clerical sex abuse during his trip to France
