Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, in a four-day apostolic journey that will take him to Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz.
The Vatican says the visit will include meetings with French authorities, young people, members of the Catholic Church, and representatives of civil society. The Pope is also scheduled to visit the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.
When Will Pope Leo XIV Visit France?
The four-day journey will take place from Friday, September 25, through Monday, September 28, 2026.
The Vatican describes it as Pope Leo XIV’s fifth international apostolic journey since the beginning of his pontificate. France will be one of several foreign countries visited by the Pope during 2026.
The trip will include stops in:
- Paris
- Saint-Denis
- Lourdes
- Metz
The official program was published by the Vatican in August and subsequently updated with further details ahead of the visit.
Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Paris
The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Paris on September 25.
After an official welcome, he is expected to meet French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and address French authorities, civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps.
He will then visit UNESCO headquarters, where he is scheduled to give a speech.
Later that day, Pope Leo will celebrate Vespers with clergy and consecrated men and women at Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The day is scheduled to conclude with a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Visit to Maison Bakhita
On September 26, the Pope is scheduled to visit the Maison Bakhita Center in Paris.
The center provides social support and integration services for people living in exile and was established by the Archdiocese of Paris.
The visit is part of a broader program that includes meetings with young people, recently baptized Catholics, and representatives of the French Church.
Mass at Place de la Concorde
Before leaving Paris for Lourdes, Pope Leo is scheduled to celebrate Mass at Place de la Concorde.
The event is expected to attract a large crowd. The Associated Press reported that French bishops expect around one million people to see the Pope during the wider visit, and organizers have expanded the area around the main Paris Mass because of higher-than-expected interest.
The number is an expectation from church organizers, not a confirmed attendance figure.
Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes
After Paris, the Pope will travel to Lourdes, one of France’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations.
On September 26, he is scheduled to pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle, located at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The following day, September 27, he will meet with bishops of the French Episcopal Conference and celebrate Mass at the shrine.
He is also scheduled to meet staff and sick people at Accueil Notre Dame, a facility serving pilgrims who travel to Lourdes, before attending the traditional evening Rosary procession.
A Meeting With Survivors of Church Abuse
The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with several survivors of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church during his French journey.
The Holy See said the meeting will take place during the trip, while the Associated Press reported that seven survivors are expected to participate.
The meeting is part of the wider program of the visit and reflects the continuing attention given by church institutions to the issue of abuse and support for survivors.
The Visit to Metz
On September 28, the final day of the trip, Pope Leo will travel to Metz in northeastern France.
The city is associated with Robert Schuman, one of the figures linked to the early development of European integration.
According to the Vatican, the Pope will meet with representatives of different faiths and participate in an event focusing on Europe, peace, and unity.
He will also celebrate Mass at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Metz before returning to Rome.
The Theme of the France Visit
The official motto chosen for the journey is:
“That the world may have life.”
The Vatican says the program will focus on themes including faith, culture, Europe, young people, peace, and human dignity.
The Associated Press has also reported that questions surrounding the protection and dignity of human life are expected to feature in the Pope’s messages during the trip.
Artificial Intelligence and UNESCO
One of the distinctive parts of the visit is Pope Leo XIV’s scheduled appearance at UNESCO.
The Vatican says the meeting will form part of the Pope’s discussions around culture and contemporary challenges.
The Associated Press reported that artificial intelligence and education are expected to be among the subjects addressed during his visit to the Paris headquarters.
This reflects the growing discussion around the social and ethical questions created by rapidly developing AI technologies.
France’s First Official Papal State Visit Since 2008
The 2026 journey will be the first official papal state visit to France since Pope Benedict XVI visited in September 2008, according to the Vatican.
Pope Francis previously traveled to France, including visits to Strasbourg in 2014 and Marseille in 2023, as well as a 2024 visit to Corsica. The Vatican notes that those trips were not official state visits.
A Four-Day Schedule
The main itinerary can be summarized as follows:
| Date | Location | Main Events |
|---|---|---|
| September 25 | Paris / Saint-Denis | Macron meeting, UNESCO, Notre-Dame, youth vigil |
| September 26 | Paris / Lourdes | Maison Bakhita, meetings, Mass, Lourdes grotto |
| September 27 | Lourdes | Bishops’ meeting, Mass, encounter with sick people, Rosary |
| September 28 | Metz | Interfaith meeting, European event, Mass, return to Rome |
The schedule is based on the official Vatican program and may be adjusted for practical or security reasons.
Why Is the Visit Receiving Attention?
The trip is attracting attention because it combines religious events with meetings involving French institutions, young people, civil society, culture, and European issues.
It is also taking place at a time when France is experiencing changes in religious participation, while debates about technology, AI, human dignity, and Europe’s future continue to receive public attention.
What to Expect During the Visit
Among the events to watch are:
- The Pope’s meeting with President Macron
- His speech at UNESCO
- The youth vigil in Saint-Denis
- Mass at Place de la Concorde
- Events in Lourdes
- The meeting with abuse survivors
- The European and interfaith events in Metz
The visit is expected to generate significant media coverage in France and internationally.
Conclusion
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, with stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz.
His program includes meetings with French officials, young people, religious representatives, and survivors of abuse, as well as a visit to UNESCO and several major religious events.
The journey will combine discussions about faith, culture, AI, human dignity, Europe, peace, and social issues, making it one of the major international events on France’s September 2026 calendar.