Pope Leo arrives in France for the first Papal Visit in 18 Years

Description: Pope Leo XIV has arrived in France, beginning the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years.

Over the next four days, EWTN News will follow this historic apostolic journey from Paris to Lourdes and Metz.

While Pope Francis visited France three times — Strasbourg in 2014, Marseille in 2023, and Corsica in 2024 — each trip centered on a specific international or ecclesial event, rather than an official state visit to France.

Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to France, from Sept. 25–28, will center on dialogue, memory, and hope.
During the four-day visit, he will meet with French authorities, young people, the local Church, catechumens, civil society, and the international community. His journey will include moments of prayer, encounters with vulnerable communities and abuse survivors, and reflections on peace, unity, faith, and Europe’s shared future.

Follow Pope Leo’s apostolic journey to France live at EWTNNews.com.

Watch full coverage of the trip on the EWTN News YouTube channel: youtube.com/@ewtnnews Close description