Pope Leo XIV Begins France Visit as Hundreds of Thousands Prepare for Major Events

VoS NEWS DESK | INTERNATIONAL | 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

Pope Leo arrived in France on Friday, beginning a visit that will take him to Paris, Lourdes and Metz between 25 and 28 September. The trip is his first major visit to France and comes almost two decades after the last papal state visit to Paris.

A major focus of the Paris programme is an outdoor Mass scheduled for Saturday. Organisers and authorities expect between 500,000 and 600,000 people to attend the event, with additional spectators expected in surrounding areas.

The visit has required extensive preparations by French authorities. Thousands of police officers, gendarmes and soldiers are being deployed in Paris as officials prepare for large crowds and temporary restrictions around key locations.

Pope Leo is also scheduled to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, where he will meet clergy during the first day of his visit. The cathedral's reopening in 2024 made the location particularly significant for the programme.

Another major event will take place at the Stade de France, where around 80,000 young people are expected to participate in a prayer vigil. Organisers have mobilised thousands of volunteers to help manage the large gatherings.

The Pope's itinerary also includes a visit to Lourdes, where he is expected to meet survivors of clergy abuse. The issue remains an important part of the wider discussions surrounding the Catholic Church in France.

Artificial intelligence is another subject expected to feature during the visit. Pope Leo has previously called for greater attention to the social and ethical implications of AI, and his France programme includes discussions connected with technology and human dignity.

His visit will conclude in Metz, where the Pope is expected to address themes including peace and Europe's future. The programme therefore combines religious events with discussions of wider international and social issues.

The scale of the crowds has also created significant logistical challenges for Paris. Authorities have announced road and transport restrictions around the areas hosting the Pope's events, while security arrangements have been planned for the large number of visitors expected throughout the weekend.

VoS STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Pope Leo XIV's France visit brings together religious gatherings, discussions on technology and human dignity, and meetings connected with the Catholic Church's response to abuse. The expected attendance also makes the visit a major logistical event for Paris, requiring extensive coordination between organisers, volunteers and security authorities.

Source: Reuters; Le Monde; Irish Times.