Bishops
Pope Leo XIV visits France
Pope Leo XIV completed an apostolic visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026, traveling to Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. Bishop Benoit Bertrand, the bishop of Pontoise and vice president of the French Bishops' Conference, presided over the national coordination committee for the trip.
During his visit, the Pope spoke at the Institut Catholique on September 26, where he expressed surprise at the number of people returning to the faith. In Paris, he delivered a meditation on holiness to young people at the Stade de France and spoke at the Maison Bakhita regarding the Church's service to others. He also addressed medical professionals and caregivers at Accueil Notre-Dame concerning the respect for human life from beginning to end.
In Lourdes, the Pope participated in a torchlight procession and met with crowds. Bishop Bertrand noted that the visit's success involved coordination between the bishops' conference, various dioceses, and French state authorities, including the presidency and various ministries.
AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.Read it in Français · English · Italiano
Read the sourceSources behind this story
- Official source@diocesebordeauxThe apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to France – Editorial by Mgr James
Archdiocese of Bordeaux · jeanbredon
- Official sourceThe pastor drew close to his people
Diocese of Pontoise · Fanny NAIT LHADJ
- Reporting@zenitenglishMonsignor Benoît Bertrand on the Pope's visit: 'The pastor has drawn close to his people' - 8 titles, Thursday 1 October 2026
ZENIT News Agency · Rédaction
- Reporting@zenitenglishMgr Benoît Bertrand on the Pope's visit: «The pastor has drawn close to his people»
ZENIT News Agency · Anne van Merris
- Analysis & opinion@messainlatinoDe Mattei: 'Leo XIV and Place de la Concorde'
Messainlatino.it · Luigi Casalini
- Analysis & opinion@americamagFrench Catholicism Reborn? What happened on Pope Leo’s visit to France (and why it matters for all of us)
America · Jesuitical
How the coverage unfolded
- Sep 30, 8:56 AM ZENIT News Agency Français Mgr Benoît Bertrand sur la visite du pape : « Le pasteur s’est fait proche de son peuple » – 8 titres, jeudi 1er octobre 2026
- Oct 1, 11:22 PM ZENIT News Agency Français Mgr Benoît Bertrand sur la visite du pape : « Le pasteur s’est fait proche de son peuple »
- Oct 2, 8:03 AM Diocese of Pontoise Français Le pasteur s’est fait proche de son peuple
- Oct 1, 3:00 AM Archdiocese of Bordeaux Français La visite apostolique du pape Léon XIV en France – Édito de Mgr James
- Oct 1, 1:43 PM America French Catholicism Reborn? What happened on Pope Leo’s visit to France (and why it matters for all of us)
- Oct 2, 4:00 AM Messainlatino.it Italiano De Mattei. “Leone XIV e Place de la Concorde
More on Pope Leo XIV
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- Oct 5, 3:18 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV moves Cardinal Mauro Gambetti to Chieti-Vasto
- Oct 5, 2:46 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV meets USCCB leadership
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- Oct 5, 1:37 PM PT · 26 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto
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- Oct 5, 12:00 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV receives Vatican lay employees and women
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- Oct 5, 10:56 AM PT Pope Leo XIV dedicates 2026 to St. Francis of Assisi
- Oct 5, 10:31 AM PT Pope Leo XIV sends message to Gaza priest
- Oct 5, 10:02 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV invites to pray for peace in October
- Oct 5, 9:51 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV says safety concerns about AI should be taken seriously
- Oct 5, 9:29 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit France
- Oct 5, 9:15 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV visits Lourdes
- Oct 5, 9:01 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV blesses 3-year-old Olivia Hamelin
- Oct 5, 9:01 AM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV receives Pontificio Collegio Teutonico di Santa Maria in Campo Santo
- Oct 5, 9:00 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV prays with 80,000 young Catholics at Stade de France
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