Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Visit to France in September 2026: Full Program and Key Engagements Revealed

Pope Leo XIV is set to visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, with a comprehensive program spanning major cities including Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. This apostolic visit will feature significant events such as a welcome ceremony at Paris Orly Airport, a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, and a vespers celebration at Notre-Dame Cathedral on the first day. The second day includes a visit to a social integration center in Paris, a historic mass at Place de la Concorde expected to gather around 500,000 attendees, and a discourse at UNESCO headquarters, underlining the visit's theme "For the world to have life."

Following Paris, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Lourdes for prayer sessions and meetings with bishops and the local faithful. The visit culminates in Metz with an interreligious dialogue at the Centre des Congrès and a mass at the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne.

A pivotal aspect of the visit is the Pope's private meeting with victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, highlighting his commitment to this sensitive issue. The French Bishops' Conference has coordinated the details, acknowledging ongoing collaborations with abuse victims. This stance follows reports estimating approximately 330,000 minors have suffered sexual violence in France’s Catholic Church. Additionally, a collective of over 200 victims from a Catholic school in Bétharram has requested an audience to discuss clerical support.

Public registration for all free events will open on August 10, 2026, at noon via the official website, ensuring inclusive participation regardless of faith. The French Church emphasizes that the visit’s success will heavily depend on the faithful’s generosity. Overall, the visit promises both spiritual celebrations and meaningful dialogues addressing pressing contemporary concerns in French society and the Church.