Pope Leo XIV begins historic four-day visit to France

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on September 25, 2026, marking his first apostolic visit to the country since his election in 2025. Upon landing at Orly Airport, he was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron. During the flight, the Pope described the migration situation in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent solutions. His busy schedule includes an evening service at Notre-Dame Cathedral, which he visited for the first time since its 2024 restoration, and high-level talks at the Élysée Palace regarding international peace and secularism.

On the second day, September 26, the Pope led a massive open-air mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Authorities estimated the crowd at 600,000, while the Vatican reported 700,000 attendees, including numerous French politicians. The ceremony was supported by approximately 2,400 clergy members and 100 bishops. Prior to the mass, the Pope visited an immigrant reception center and the Catholic Institute of Paris. This trip represents the first papal visit to Paris since Benedict XVI in 2008, drawing significant public attention and requiring strict security measures throughout the French capital.