Pope Leo XIV to visit France for four-day apostolic journey

Pope Leo XIV France visit clerical abuse assisted dying law Paris mass

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to conduct an apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. The visit includes stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz.

In Paris, the Pope is expected to address UNESCO, pray at Notre-Dame de Paris, and hold a massive outdoor mass at the Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées, with nearly 600,000 people registered. He will also participate in a youth prayer vigil at the Stade de France.

The visit carries significant social and political weight. The Vatican has declined several formal diplomatic offers from President Emmanuel Macron, including a state dinner and a meeting at Notre-Dame, emphasizing the pastoral nature of the trip. Tensions exist regarding France’s recent assisted dying legislation and the Church’s stance on gender-transformative education at UNESCO.

In Lourdes, the Pope will visit the sanctuary as a pilgrim and is scheduled to meet with seven victims of clerical sexual abuse to discuss Church reform. The visit also highlights a resurgence of religious activity in Paris's diverse suburbs.

Entities

Emmanuel Macron · France · Laurent Ulrich · Paris · Pope Leo XIV · UNESCO · Vatican

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Pope is scheduled to deliver a speech at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. tribunechretienne.com · www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Almost 600,000 people have registered for the mass in Paris. nachrichten.fr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Vatican Secretariat of State refused requests for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron at Notre-Dame and a state dinner. www.espress.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] The visit includes a prayer vigil for youth at the Stade de France. nachrichten.fr · www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr · www.upday.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026. www.europesays.com · nachrichten.fr · www.espress.ro · tribunechretienne.com · www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The Pope will meet seven victims of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes on September 27. www.europesays.com · radio.ognjisce.si