Pope Leo welcomed to France

Pope Leo XIV has begun his Apostolic Journey to France, meeting with the President and visiting UNESCO’s Headquarters. 

Pope Leo is on his fifth Apostolic Journey of his reign. The Holy Father — sovereign of the smallest country in the world — is making this historic visit eighteen years after Pope Benedict XVI’s last full papal visit in September 2008.

Under the motto “That the world may have life,” Pope Leo landed at Paris Orly Airport around 11:40 and was personally greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron. After being greeted by a Guard of Honour and waiting schoolchildren, the three went inside the terminal before separating.

In the air, as is customary, the Pope sent a telegram to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in which he says, “As I prepare to undertake my Apostolic Journey to France, under the gaze of the Virgin Mary, to whose intercession we entrust the desire for peace and reconciliation among peoples, I am pleased to address to you, Mr President, my cordial greeting, which I accompany with fervent wishes for the good and prosperity of the entire Italian nation.”

A second telegram was sent to Swiss President Guy Parmelin, “As I fly through Swiss airspace on my Apostolic Journey to France, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke Almighty God’s gifts of peace and joy upon the nation,” both signed “Leo PP. XIV.”

After brief introductions at the airport, the Pope headed to the Élysée Palace for the official welcome. After being greeted by the Presidential couple, the Pope and President Macron sat for private discussions, after which the two joined a meeting of authorities, civil society and the Diplomatic Corps accredited to France. Among the topics he discussed, the Holy Father expressed his appreciation for the French artisans and masons who restored Notre-Dame after the catastrophic fire in April 2019.

Following the visit to the Palace, the Holy Father boarded the Popemobile for the journey to Notre-Dame de Paris. Thousands of Parisians lined the streets to welcome Pope Leo, shouting “Vive le Pape!” The Pope even blessed a baby wearing a barrette… only in Paris.

The Holy Father arrived at Notre-Dame to a sea of faithful. He then led vespers in the cathedral, which reopened in December 2024. Before the services, the Pope venerated the Holy Crown of Thorns, one of Christianity’s most sacred items, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ at his Crucifixion.

In the evening, Pope Leo led more than 80,000 young people in a prayer vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.