Pope Leo XIV Begins Four-Day Pilgrimage to France, Navigating Secularism and Spirituality

Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, has commenced a four-day official visit to France, marking the first papal trip to the strictly secular nation in 18 years. He was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at Paris' Orly Airport.

Highlights

• Pope Leo XIV landed in Paris for a four-day official visit, welcomed by President Macron.
• The trip aims to navigate the complexities of religious state visits in secular France and discuss global issues like artificial intelligence.
• The Pope's itinerary includes meetings with Macron, a speech at UNESCO, and leading Vespers at Notre Dame Cathedral.
• He will also celebrate Mass for an estimated 80,000 young people at Stade de France and 600,000 at Place de la Concorde.
• The visit seeks to mend the Catholic Church's standing in France following a 2021 report on clergy abuse.

Details

The Pope's busy schedule includes a meeting with President Macron at the Elysee Palace, a speech at UNESCO headquarters, and leading Vespers at Notre Dame Cathedral. He is also set to celebrate Mass for an estimated 80,000 young people at the Stade de France national stadium on Friday, and for another 600,000 at Place de la Concorde on Saturday, before heading to Lourdes, a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site.

On Monday, Pope Leo will travel to Metz, near the German border, to deliver a speech titled "To the roots of Europe for peace and unity," an event where Macron will introduce him and has invited other EU leaders. During his discussions with Macron, Pope Leo is expected to address global concerns regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and the "new dangers" it poses to "security and international peace." He previously stated that leaders must "govern wisely" when dealing with this technology, which he believes raises fundamental questions about human existence.

Why it matters

This visit is crucial for the Catholic Church as it seeks to repair its image in France, particularly after a 2021 report documented seven decades of abuse by clergy and lay leaders, affecting 330,000 French children. Pope Leo, a vocal critic of ongoing conflicts, also aims to be "a pilgrim for peace" in a time of war, delivering messages of peace and unity.