The Pope will visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, marking a significant diplomatic and pastoral engagement with the French state and society. The trip, described as having both a diplomatic facet
and a “pastoral one,” includes meetings with French authorities, public appearances, and interreligious dialogues. According to the French Embassy to the Holy See, the visit underscores the Holy See’s role as a global diplomatic actor and its influence on issues such as peace, migration, and environmental protection. The Pope’s itinerary, detailed in midilibre.fr, spans Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, with events ranging from mass celebrations to private meetings with victims of Church-related sexual abuse.
Pope Leo XIV to Visit France from September 25–28, 2026
Comprehensive Itinerary Across Paris, Lourdes, and Metz
The Pope’s schedule begins in Paris on September 25, where he will meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace and visit the UNESCO headquarters. A public papamobile tour through Paris, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, will follow, culminating in a youth prayer vigil at the Stade de France. On September 26, a grand mass will be held at Place de la Concorde, after which he will travel to Lourdes for a night of prayer at the Grotto of Massabielle. The following day, Lourdes will host a mass and meetings with church leaders and vulnerable communities. The trip concludes in Metz on September 28, with an interreligious gathering and a final mass at Metz Cathedral. Midilibre reports that the Pope will also meet privately with survivors of sexual abuse within the Church, though details of this session remain unspecified.
Diplomatic and Pastoral Dimensions of the Visit
The visit reflects the Holy See’s dual role as a sovereign entity and a spiritual leader. According to the French Embassy to the Holy See, the Pope’s presence in France emphasizes dialogue between secular governance and religious institutions. The ambassador highlighted that France’s secularism enables engagement with all faiths while maintaining political and religious separation. This dynamic was echoed in La Croix, which noted that the Pope’s visit is not merely a Catholic event but a moment of shared cultural and spiritual significance for all French citizens.
Interreligious Dialogue and Global Impact
