Pope Leo visits France for first papal visit in 18 years
Pope Leo XIV is conducting a four-day visit to France, the first of its kind in 18 years. During a Saturday stop in Paris, the Pope celebrated an open-air Mass attended by an estimated 800,000 people. He used the event to urge young Catholics to embrace their faith and argued that France's secular traditions should not exclude religious expression from public life. Following the Paris events, the Pope traveled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. He also issued warnings that a paradise of machines could undermine humanity.
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- ✓ Pope Leo XIV is on a four-day visit to France, marking the first papal visit to the country in 18 years.
- ✓ The Vatican estimated that 800,000 people attended an outdoor Mass in Paris on Saturday.
- ✓ Pope Leo XIV visited both Paris and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on the second day of his trip.
- ✓ The Pope stated that France's secular tradition does not need to exclude religious expression from public life.
What changed
Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Paris for 800,000 people before traveling to Lourdes.
Live updates
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Pope Leo XIV visits France for first papal trip in 18 years
Pope Leo XIV is conducting a four-day visit to France, the first of its kind in 18 years. During a Saturday stop in Paris, the Pope celebrated an open-air Mass attended by an estimated 800,000 people. He used the event to urge young Catholics to embrace their faith and argued that France's secular traditions should not exclude religious expression from public life. Following the Paris events, the Pope traveled to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. He also issued warnings that a paradise of machines could undermine humanity.
Why it matters
The visit occurs as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year. Leo XIV is attempting to balance his role as a global leader while addressing the challenges of scientific progress and human rights in a highly secular nation.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV is on a four-day visit to France, marking the first papal visit to the country in 18 years.
- The Vatican estimated that 800,000 people attended an outdoor Mass in Paris on Saturday.
- Pope Leo XIV visited both Paris and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on the second day of his trip.
- The Pope stated that France's secular tradition does not need to exclude religious expression from public life.
Still unconfirmed
- The visit has sparked rumors of a rift between Pope Leo XIV and President Emmanuel Macron.
What to watch next
- The remaining schedule of the four-day visit
- Further speeches regarding peace in Europe and the conflict in Ukraine
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (11)
- BBC — Hundreds of thousands expected in Paris for Pope's visit
- The New York Times — Leo XIV, Trying to Be Everyone’s Pope, Heads to Secular France
- The Guardian — Pope Leo visits France for first papal visit in 18 years – Europe live
- Vatican News — Pope: May France remain a champion of peace and multilateralism
- Fox News — Pope Leo XIV begins historic 4-day visit to France
- www.cbsnews.com — First papal visit to France in almost 2 decades attracts hundreds of thousands of worshipers for Mass
- www.usccb.org — In a secular France, Pope Leo makes the case for faith in public life
- nypost.com — Pope Leo draws record-breaking crowd of 800K and rallies young people for historic Paris Mass
- english.mathrubhumi.com — Pope Leo XIV’s France visit sparks rumours of a rift with Macron
- www.lpm.org — Pope Leo warns a 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanity on his France visit
- www.ewtnnews.com — PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV visits Paris and Lourdes on second day of France trip
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