Pope Leo XIV has arrived in France for a four-day visit, marking the first state visit by a Vatican leader to the country in 18 years.
The 71-year-old pontiff landed near Paris on Friday, where he was scheduled to be received by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron.
His visit is expected to bring together religious, political and social issues, with artificial intelligence, youth engagement, migration, peace and the future of Europe among the major subjects on his agenda.
Leo’s trip is the first official papal visit to France since Pope Benedict XVI travelled to the country in 2008. Large crowds were expected at several events during the pontiff’s stay, including a major Mass in central Paris on Saturday.
The Pope is also scheduled to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, where he will see the landmark following its restoration after the 2019 fire. He is expected to travel through parts of Paris in the popemobile before meeting worshippers at the cathedral.
Another major stop will be Lourdes, the southwestern French town that attracts Catholic pilgrims because of its association with reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the 19th century.
During his time in Lourdes, Leo is expected to meet survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The visit comes against the backdrop of investigations and continuing allegations concerning abuse within the Catholic Church in France.
The pontiff will also travel to Metz near the German border, where he is expected to address the issue of peace in Europe amid the continuing war in Ukraine.
His programme includes an engagement with young Catholics in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, where about 80,000 people between the ages of 17 and 35 are expected to gather for prayer and hymns.
Leo is also scheduled to speak at UNESCO headquarters, where artificial intelligence and the need for safeguards around the technology are expected to feature prominently.
The visit comes as France remains a largely secular country, although the Catholic Church has reported growing numbers of adults seeking baptism in recent years.
The Pope’s four-day trip is expected to combine religious ceremonies with discussions on issues affecting France, Europe and the wider international community.
