Pope meets French Church

In brief

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Church in France, marking the first trip of this kind since the time of Pope Benedict, according to Archbishop Éric de Moulins Beaufort. The former president of the French Bishops' Conference noted that the Pope will encounter a Church experiencing both poverty and a significant influx of grace, specifically through the joy of receiving newly baptized members.

Archbishop Beaufort identified a declining number of priests as a primary challenge. He stated that the Church finds strength in young people who maintain a strong sense of Christ's presence, particularly during the liturgy and the sacraments.