Pope Léon XIV Reaffirms Church Stances During Major 2026 Visit to France

Pope Léon XIV is currently in France, marking his third day of a landmark visit that is the first papal visit to Paris in 18 years. The visit has drawn massive crowds, with approximately 800,000 attendees in the French capital—three times the number who attended Pope Benedict XVI's 2008 visit. The Pope's itinerary included a significant stop in Lourdes, where he prominently restated his opposition to assisted dying, emphasizing the importance of human dignity in this context.

In addition to his stance on end-of-life issues, Pope Léon XIV addressed the deeply troubling issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. He urged French bishops to intensify their efforts to combat pedocriminality, acknowledging it as a "plague" that continues to cast a shadow over the Church. Despite his commitment, his planned meeting with seven victims of sexual abuse has been met with criticism from advocacy groups, who argue this limited engagement fails to adequately confront the systemic nature of abuse within the Church.

The Pope’s visit carries notable religious and political undertones. His public remarks in Lourdes included prayers for "wise and generous leaders" ahead of France's upcoming elections. While advocating for a balanced approach to laïcité, one that respects religious presence in public life while ensuring cooperation between church and state for the common good, he avoided explicit political endorsements. The visit also highlighted existing political tensions, underscored by the notable absence of President Emmanuel Macron during the event.

Though the Catholic Church continues to see an overall decline in attendance, there has been a recent surge in baptisms, signaling a complex and evolving relationship between faith and secularism in France.

This visit encapsulates a pivotal moment for the French Catholic community, highlighting ongoing challenges within the Church and its evolving role in French public and political life.