A historic four-day papal visit begins in France
France is set to host a major ecclesial and diplomatic event as Pope Leo XIV arrives for his first official trip to the country since his election. The four-day apostolic journey, running from Friday, September 25 to Monday, September 28, 2026, will take the pontiff to Paris, Saint-Denis, the Marian sanctuary of Lourdes and the city of Metz.
Paris: official welcome and a packed schedule
The Holy Father is scheduled to land at Paris-Orly airport at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25. As he disembarks, church bells across France will ring for seven minutes to mark the historic occasion. The pope will immediately begin a demanding program of institutional and pastoral engagements.
Diplomacy and institutions
- A meeting with the President of the Republic at the Élysée Palace, followed by an address to the diplomatic corps.
- A highly anticipated speech at UNESCO headquarters at 3:00 p.m.
Connecting with the public
- A popemobile ride through the capital, from Notre-Dame des Champs church to Place Saint-Michel.
- Celebration of Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Youth gathering
- In the evening, the pope will lead a large vigil with more than 75,000 young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. During the event, the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil will be displayed exceptionally.
Saturday: outreach and a grand outdoor mass
On Saturday, September 26, the pontiff will visit vulnerable people at the Maison Bakhita in the 18th arrondissement, meet with the Synodal Assembly at the Catholic Institute of Paris, and then celebrate a solemn open-air mass between Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées.
Lourdes: a memorial stop
On Saturday evening, the pope will fly to Tarbes-Lourdes on a special Air France flight. Sunday, September 27, will be entirely devoted to the Marian sanctuary of Lourdes, including time of prayer at the Grotto of Massabielle, a Sunday mass on the Prairie before more than 150,000 faithful, encounters with the sick, and a torchlight procession.
Metz: European closing
The papal journey will conclude on Monday, September 28, in Lorraine. In Metz, Leo XIV will hold an ecumenical meeting focused on “the roots of Europe, peace and unity,” before presiding over a final mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral and returning to Rome in the early evening.
