Pope Léon XIV Begins Historic Four-Day Visit to France with Strong Emphasis on Peace and Justice

Pope Léon XIV arrived in Paris on September 25, 2026, marking the first papal visit to France in two decades. Welcomed by President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron amid a large crowd, the Pope emphasized his commitment to promoting peace and acknowledged his French Norman and Béarnais heritage. His packed itinerary in Paris includes a meeting at the Élysée Palace, followed by a significant speech at UNESCO, where he criticized world leaders for manipulating the law to serve their interests and commodifying justice, delivering his remarks in both French and English.

After the UNESCO address, Pope Léon XIV embarked on a 2.5-kilometer procession to Place Saint-Michel under tight security, engaging closely with the public. His Vatican-themed visit also features appearances at Notre-Dame Cathedral and a prayer vigil at the Stade de France. The Pope's journey extends beyond Paris with planned stops in Lourdes and Metz.

France Télévisions is the official broadcaster, orchestrating extensive coverage with 130 cameras and nearly 40 hours of programming to bring the visit to French citizens nationwide. Noteworthy events include vespers at Notre-Dame, a mass at Place de la Concorde—the first ever at this Parisian site—and special broadcasts from Lourdes including the Pope’s Sunday mass. The visit also highlights a youth competition centered on peace, underscoring the Pope’s message.

This visit, a joint invitation from French authorities and the director-general of UNESCO, underscores the Pope's vocal stance on global peace and governance, garnering broad public and institutional attention.