Diocese of Angoulême

History

First erected in the 3rd century, the Diocese of Angoulême (Latin: Dioecesis Engolismensis; French: Diocèse d'Angoulême) is a Latin diocese of the Catholic Church in France whose episcopal see is the Angoulême Cathedral. Its territory is the département of the Charente. Traditionally suffragan to the Archbishopric of Bordeaux, under the old régime as well as under the Concordat, it has been suffragan to the Archdiocese of Poitiers since 2002. In 2022 there was one priest for every 4,981 Catholics in the diocese.

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• Pope Leo XIV addresses catechumens at Catholic Institute of Paris

  Pope Leo XIV met with catechumens, newly baptized Catholics, and members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly of Île-de-France at the Catholic Institute of Paris on September 26. During the meeting, the pope encouraged the Church to find a balance between welcoming new members and educating them in the faith. He urged pastoral communities to fully integrate these individuals after their baptism to avoid a spiritual void, suggesting they be accompanied with compassion and tenderness. The pope noted the paradox of growing interest in the faith within a deeply secularized French society. While national demographic data indicates that more than half of French adults have no religious affiliation, the Church has seen record-breaking baptisms. In 2026, France recorded more than 20,000 baptisms of adults and adolescents, a 20% increase from 2025. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris welcomed the group, noting that more than 350 people from eight dioceses and the Military Ordinariate gathered for the synodal discussion. The Provincial Ecclesial Assembly of Île-de-France is scheduled to hold three sessions at the university hall beginning in mid-October.

  Sep 28, 2026 · Bishops · 12 sources

• Pope Leo XIV to visit France

  Pope Leo XIV visited France, holding events in Paris and Lourdes that drew hundreds of participants from the Charente region. During a meeting at UNESCO, the pope stated that human dignity and freedom must remain central to society. He noted that education and culture should help people develop critical thinking and live together, adding that technology must serve humanity in the face of artificial intelligence. The visit included a prayer service for young people at the Stade de France and an outdoor mass on the Champs-Elysées. At the Stade de France, thousands of young people and scouts gathered for the vigil. Participants described the pope as being visibly moved by the large turnout of youth seeking answers.

  Sep 27, 2026 · Vatican

• Dioceses of Angoulême and Limoges to offer BAFA training sessions

  The dioceses of Angoulême and Limoges are organizing two training sessions for the BAFA, a diploma that allows people to supervise children and adolescents in summer camps, leisure centers, and after-school programs. Working with Centre Lapparent and Afocal, the dioceses will host sessions to teach participants how to design activities, manage groups, and ensure the safety of minors. The general training session will run from the morning of Saturday, February 13, to the afternoon of Friday, February 20, 2027, in Limoges. This session is open to anyone at least 16 years old. A specialized training session focusing on large games and evening activities will take place from the morning of Monday, February 22, to the afternoon of Saturday, February 27, 2027, at the Maison Diocésaine de Limoges. This session is for individuals who have already completed the general training and finished 14 days of practical internships. Pre-registration is currently open, though the dioceses noted that places are limited.

  Sep 25, 2026 · Education

• Pope Leo XIV to visit France

  Pope Leo XIV will arrive in France on Friday, September 25, 2026. To mark his arrival at 10:00 a.m., the Bishops' Conference of France requested that church bells in cathedrals, parish churches, sanctuaries, and village towers across the country ring simultaneously for seven minutes. The papal visit includes scheduled stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. In the Charente region, pilgrimage services have arranged eight buses to transport people to Lourdes, while other local communities have organized gatherings. For example, the diocesan house in Angoulême will host a night of prayer and adoration for young people aged 17 to 35, and the parish of Barbezieux–Baignes–Barret will broadcast celebrations throughout the weekend. Media outlets including France Télévisions, KTO, Vatican News, and RCF Notre-Dame will provide coverage. The Bishops' Conference also opened a digital guestbook for the faithful to participate in the visit.

  Sep 24, 2026 · Vatican · 2 sources

• Pilgrims from Diocese of Angoulême visit Assise and Florence

  A group of 34 pilgrims from the Diocese of Angoulême began a pilgrimage to Assisi and Florence on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The group is traveling under the theme of creation as a beauty that leads to God. During their first day in Assisi, the pilgrims attended Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis. They also visited the Basilica of St. Clare and the San Damiano sanctuary, a site associated with St. Francis and St. Clare. A Franciscan guide led a tour of the Basilica of St. Francis to explain its frescoes. The group concluded their first day by visiting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

  Sep 18, 2026 · Catholic Life

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