Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, began his first official papal trip to France in 18 years on Friday, September 25, 2026. Enthusiastic crowds gathered in Paris to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, with hundreds of thousands expected to line the streets during his 2.5-kilometre popemobile ride. The pope's visit comes at a time of growing concern about artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity.
Before his visit to Paris, Pope Leo XIV spoke at the presidential palace with President Emmanuel Macron about the need to safeguard humanity against AI. He emphasized the urgent need for education in ethical discernment to avoid losing humanity in a "paradise of machines" that invades and conditions daily life. The pope's words come as France prepares for presidential elections, with the anti-immigration far right eyeing its best chance at seizing power.
During his speech, Pope Leo XIV urged France to remain a "tireless champion of peace" and multilateralism, particularly in Europe, amid tense transatlantic ties and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. He also stressed that "authentic secularity" should not exclude religion from the public sphere or education. The pope's visit marks the first official trip by a head of the Vatican since Pope Benedict XVI in September 2008.
A million people are expected to attend events across Paris during the first two days of the pope's trip, including a giant mass on Saturday at Place de la Concorde and the adjoining Champs-Elysees. Pope Leo XIV will also visit Lourdes, a pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide, where he will privately meet victims of clerical sex abuse. Additionally, he will visit Metz, near the German border, to further speak about peace in Europe.
On Friday afternoon, Pope Leo XIV addressed UNESCO, the UN culture and education agency, which sees him as an "indispensable partner" in the AI debate. He also waved to crowds on his way to the Notre Dame cathedral in central Paris, where he inspected renovations following a devastating 2019 fire. The pope's visit to Notre Dame marks the first time a pope has done so since the cathedral's reopening in late 2024.
Many Parisians expressed their excitement and joy at seeing the pope, with some waiting in line for hours to secure a good view. Monique Barusseaud, 83, a retiree from La Rochelle, said she was thrilled to finally see the pope, while Lydie Mouradian, 74, described the experience as "pure joy." The pope's visit comes at a time when only around five percent of France's 69 million residents regularly attend Catholic church services.
Despite the low attendance rates, the number of teenage and adult baptisms is on the rise in France, with thousands choosing to embrace the faith. Pope Leo XIV's visit aims to strengthen the Catholic community in France and promote a message of peace, love, and compassion. The pope's trip will conclude with a mass prayer and hymns with 80,000 young believers aged 17 to 35 in a stadium in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV warns against losing humanity in a "paradise of machines" driven by artificial intelligence.
- The pope emphasizes the need for education in ethical discernment to safeguard humanity.
- Pope Leo XIV's visit to France marks the first official papal trip to the country in 18 years.
