Pope Leon XIV concluded his four-day visit to France on October 5, 2026, leaving a lasting impact on the nation. The visit, which began on October 2, took him to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, where he was greeted by hundreds of thousands of people. His first stop was the Elysee Palace, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a visit to UNESCO.
The Pope's visit was marked by emotional moments, particularly during his stop at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. An estimated 300,000 people lined his route, and inside the cathedral, he prayed and reflected in front of the statue of the Virgin and Child, which miraculously survived the 2019 fire. The Pope then headed to the Stade de France, where over 80,000 young people gathered for a prayer vigil.
On October 3, the Pope visited the Champs-Elysees, which had transformed into an open-air stage. He slowly made his way through the crowds in his papamobile, greeting and blessing children and babies. One notable moment was when he took a 10-year-old polyhandicapped girl, Marie-Garance, into his arms and blessed her, a moment that captured international attention.
The Pope's visit to Lourdes was a poignant moment of his trip. At the Massabielle grotto, he knelt before the Virgin and prayed extensively. He also met with pilgrims who were ill and people with disabilities. Throughout his visit, the Pope emphasized messages of peace, fraternity, dignity, and hope.
During his speeches, Pope Leon XIV addressed not only Catholics but also the broader society, tackling significant challenges facing the world. He called for the defense of human dignity, dialogue, and peace, rejecting the notion that war is inevitable. At Metz, he urged leaders to have "the courage to negotiate" and accept compromises in the name of peace.
The Pope also addressed the topic of artificial intelligence, warning against a potential "paradise of machines." He stressed the need to preserve humanity at the heart of technological progress, emphasizing that while AI can process vast amounts of data, it cannot answer fundamental questions about the meaning of life.
For many, including Mauritian native Geremie Nivert, the Pope's visit was a life-changing experience. Nivert followed the Pope throughout his trip, attending events at the Stade de France, Paris, and Lourdes. He described the experience as filled with joy, love, and beautiful surprises, and expressed gratitude for having been able to live through this moment.
Key points
- The Pope's visit drew massive crowds and delivered messages of peace and hope.
- Pope Leon XIV emphasized the need to preserve humanity in the face of technological progress.
- The visit was marked by emotional moments, including the Pope's meeting with a young polyhandicapped girl.
