French Catholic Church announces 27 million euro budget for Pope Leo XIV visit

The Bishops' Conference of France (CEF) has announced that the upcoming apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for September 25 to 28, will cost approximately 27 million euros. This budget is intended to cover all organizational expenses, including the reception of participants, logistics, security, and the construction of temporary infrastructure at various locations in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.

The organizers have reported a significant public interest in the visit, with over 700,000 people already registered to participate and approximately 2,500 journalists accredited to cover the event. In response to this high turnout, the CEF stated that it has had to strengthen its operational mechanisms, security protocols, and event staging to accommodate the expected crowds. Consequently, the Church has launched an appeal for donations from the public to help fund these extensive costs.

This visit is being characterized by the Church as a major logistical challenge due to the immense scale of the preparations required. While the church is currently focused on securing the necessary funds through public contributions, it continues to finalize the complex arrangements necessary to support the anticipated masses across the three French cities.