Pope Leo XIV arrives in France on Friday, September 25, 2026, beginning a four-day visit that will take him to several important French cities. The visit is the pope’s first official trip to France and comes 18 years after the last official papal visit to the country. Paris is preparing for large crowds as the pope begins his program in the French capital.
The visit is expected to bring together Catholic communities, religious leaders and large numbers of visitors. Paris has prepared special security and transport arrangements because the pope will travel through several busy parts of the city. His public schedule includes a papamobile route and major religious events, meaning some roads and public areas will be affected during the visit. Local authorities have asked residents and visitors to plan their journeys carefully.
The pope’s arrival is also important for the Catholic Church in France. The country has a long Catholic history, but the role of religion in French society has changed greatly over recent decades. Church attendance has fallen, while debates about religion, secularism and the place of faith in public life continue. Pope Leo’s visit therefore gives him an opportunity to meet French Catholics while also speaking to a society where religious life is changing.
The visit comes after a difficult period for the Catholic Church in France. Investigations into historical sexual abuse within the church have had a major effect on public trust. Victims and their families have continued to call for recognition, accountability and stronger protection. The pope’s meetings in France will therefore take place against a background in which church leadership faces questions about how to respond to the legacy of abuse.
Paris is the first major stop on the pope’s French journey. He is also scheduled to visit Lourdes and Metz during the four-day trip. Each location has a different importance. Paris is the country’s political and cultural center, Lourdes is one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage sites, and Metz has links to European history and Christian heritage. The different stops give the pope a chance to address both religious and wider social themes.
The visit is also expected to focus on European issues. Pope Leo has previously spoken about peace, cooperation and the need for dialogue between countries. His trip to France comes at a time when Europe is facing security concerns, economic pressure and debates about its future. His meetings and public speeches may therefore attract attention beyond Catholic communities.
The large crowds expected in Paris will create additional pressure for city services. Security teams must protect the pope while allowing people to see him. Transport authorities must also manage road closures and changes to normal traffic. Residents near the pope’s route have been warned that movement around some areas may be more difficult than usual.
Hotels and other tourism businesses are also preparing for additional visitors. Religious pilgrims from France and abroad are expected to travel to Paris during the visit. Some visitors may continue to Lourdes or Metz after the Paris events, creating activity in several parts of the country.
The pope’s arrival also has cultural importance. Notre-Dame and other historic religious sites remain central parts of France’s heritage. The visit gives international attention to these locations and to France’s long connection with Christianity.
Pope Leo’s four-day trip will continue until September 28. The coming days are expected to bring large public gatherings, religious ceremonies and meetings with French officials and church representatives. For France, the visit is both a major religious event and a significant international occasion.
