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Suffragan archdiocese Avignon, France

Archdiocese of Avignon

Avenionen(sis)

Latin Church

The Archdiocese of Avignon is a Latin rite archdiocese covering the Vaucluse department in southeastern France, with origins in the 4th century; it was elevated to a metropolitan see in 1475 and since 2009 is a non-metropolitan archdiocese, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Marseille. Its seat is the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame des Doms in Avignon, beside the former Papal Palace.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame des Doms, Avignon, in Avignon, France.

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Catholics
450,000
Priests
88
Territory
3,578 km²

Parishes and churches

40 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Archbishop
Francois Fonlupt
Born
20 December 1954
Birthplace
Allègre

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame des Doms, Avignon stands in Avignon, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

Named for the prefecture of Avignon, the Archdiocese of Avignon (Latin: Archidioecesis Avenionensis; French: Archidiocèse d'Avignon) is a Latin archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France whose jurisdiction corresponds to the department of Vaucluse, in the Region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Since January 2021 it has been led by Archbishop Georges Pontier, called out of retirement by Pope Francis to serve as Apostolic Administrator.

This see in the wire

Filed by the see itself

Published on the see's own news feed. A diocese reports on the whole Church, so these are often about somewhere else.

  • Pope Leo XIV recites Angelus prayer in Lourdes

    Pope Leo XIV recited the Angelus prayer with pilgrims and the faithful at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes following a Holy Mass held in the sanctuary's meadow. During his introduction to the prayer, the Pope invited all Christian communities and the faithful to pray the Rosary throughout October. He requested that these prayers specifically seek an end to wars and the establishment of peace between conflicting peoples. He also encouraged people to support this prayer through acts of mercy, penance, and a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation.

    Sep 28, 2026 · Vatican · 12 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV leads candlelight rosary procession in Lourdes

    Sep 28, 2026 · Vatican · 10 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV meets 150,000 at Lourdes

    Pope Leo XIV met with approximately 150,000 people during a visit to Lourdes on Sunday, September 27. After celebrating a large Mass on the Prairie, the pope visited the Accueil Notre-Dame to meet with sick and disabled people, their caregivers, and hospital volunteers.

    Sep 27, 2026 · Vatican · 4 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV delivers homily at Lourdes

    Pope Leo XIV called for conversion and repentance during a Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on Sunday, 27 September. Speaking from the sanctuary's meadow during the third day of his apostolic journey to France, the pope described the Massabielle Grotto as a sanctuary of Christian hope in response to euthanasia laws. The pope addressed the sick, stating they hold a special place in the heart of the Church and that their ministry is indispensable. He noted that the liturgical readings for the day reflect the central message the Virgin Mary gave to Saint Bernadette: a gentle but pressing call to conversion. During his homily, the pope welcomed pilgrims from France and around the world, noting that their gathering represents the universal face of the Church. He encouraged those from French dioceses to carry the comfort of Lourdes back to their homes, parishes, and neighbors. He also called for necessary conversion from everyone, beginning with the Catholic Church.

    Sep 27, 2026 · Vatican · 4 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV prays at Lourdes grotto

    Pope Leo XIV held a public moment of prayer at the Massabielle grotto in Lourdes on Saturday, September 26. The visit marked the start of the second stage of his apostolic journey in France, following his time in Paris. After arriving in Lourdes, the pope met with civil and religious authorities and inaugurated a bridge named in his honor. He arrived at the grotto to pray, where he followed pilgrimage customs such as lighting a candle and using the water. In a prayer released by the Archdiocese of Avignon, the pope asked for the protection of France and for its people to experience fraternal harmony and peace. He prayed for the country to reject violence and war, for the defense of human rights, and for the support of the poor. He also asked for wise and generous leaders who serve the common good and for the renewal of faith within Christian families.

    Sep 27, 2026 · Vatican · 4 sources

138 stories in the wire either name this see or come from its own feed. Read the wire.