French bishops convene in Lourdes to address social and institutional crises

French bishops are meeting in Lourdes from November 3 to 8, 2026, for their plenary assembly. Presided over by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the Archbishop of Marseille and president of the Conference of Bishops of France, the gathering aims to address several major issues facing the Church and French society.

The assembly will examine topics including the social crisis, education, end-of-life issues, and violence within the Church. The meeting occurs during a period of significant political and social tension in France, as the nation faces questions regarding its institutional future and social balances.

Additionally, the bishops will reflect on the pastoral impact of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey through Paris and Lourdes in September. The assembly seeks to provide moral and spiritual perspectives on public decisions without attempting to replace political leadership.