Pope Leo XIV in France: A Journey from the Presidential Welcome to Encounters with the Faithful

Pope Leo XIV at the Élysée Palace during his official visit to France in September 2026

Pope Leo XIV’s four-day apostolic journey to France begins on Friday, September 25, with a welcome at Paris-Orly Airport by President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. His Paris itinerary brings together a presidential reception, a major UNESCO event on artificial intelligence and education, and religious gatherings at Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Stade de France. Saturday’s programme will turn to social inclusion, new members of the Catholic Church and a public Mass before the Pope travels to Lourdes.

A Presidential Welcome Opens the Journey

The Pope’s arrival at Paris-Orly places France’s republican institutions at the beginning of his apostolic visit.

President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron welcome the pontiff before his scheduled meeting at the Élysée Palace. The official programme then brings together representatives of government, civil society and the diplomatic corps for an address by Leo XIV.

The ceremonial setting, including the Republican Guard and the red carpet at the presidential palace, provides the first visual record of the visit. The substance of the Pope’s institutional discussions, however, must be established through public statements rather than inferred from the ceremony.

Education and Artificial Intelligence at UNESCO

The next stage takes Leo XIV to UNESCO headquarters, where Director-General Khaled El-Enany has invited him to take part in a day of reflection on artificial intelligence, education and peace.

The event brings together young people, researchers, artists, intellectuals and policymakers. Its agenda includes the integrity of information and the future of artistic creation as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in public life.

UNESCO has also presented the occasion as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the Holy See on artificial intelligence. The Pope’s scheduled address will form part of the afternoon’s high-level ceremony.

From Notre-Dame to a Youth Prayer Vigil

The institutional meetings are followed by a different kind of gathering.

At Notre-Dame Cathedral, Leo XIV is scheduled to celebrate Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated people and seminarians. Later that evening, the Stade de France in Saint-Denis is expected to host a prayer vigil with young people.

The two events bring the Pope into contact with different generations and communities within the Catholic Church, moving the journey from formal encounters towards collective worship.

Social Inclusion and the Next Generation of Catholics

Saturday’s programme begins at Maison Bakhita, a centre dedicated to social support and integration. The visit places solidarity and the circumstances of people receiving assistance within the wider itinerary.

At the Institut Catholique de Paris, the Pope is due to meet members of a provincial synodal assembly, catechumens and newly baptised Catholics. The gathering offers an opportunity to address religious formation and the experiences of people entering the Church.

A public Mass at Place de la Concorde is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the Pope’s departure for Lourdes. He is expected to pray at the Grotto of Massabielle that evening.

A French Journey Extending Beyond the Capital

The apostolic visit continues in Lourdes on Sunday before reaching Metz on Monday. There, the programme includes an interreligious meeting and an event devoted to Europe’s roots, peace and unity.

Across its four days, the journey connects presidential diplomacy, contemporary questions about knowledge and technology, social inclusion and Catholic worship. The speeches and encounters will provide the evidence needed to understand how those themes develop during the visit.