12 things to know ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France

Pope Leo XIV will visit three cities in France from Sept. 25–28, making stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz to meet with young people, government officials, the sick, and migrants, among others. During the trip, the Holy Father will be discussing issues ranging from artificial intelligence to immigration to the Catholic Church in France today.

Here are 12 things to know about his trip and France’s rich Catholic history:

1. Pope Leo will be the third pope to visit Paris and Lourdes. Pope Francis made three visits to French cities including Strasbourg, Marseille, and Ajaccio in Corsica but never visited Paris or Lourdes. Pope Leo will now become the third reigning pope, after St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI, to visit both of the iconic Catholic destinations of Paris and Lourdes.

Pope Benedict XVI made the longest visit to Lourdes by a reigning pope, spending four days there in September 2008 for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions.

2. The first papal liturgy at Notre-Dame will be celebrated since the devastating fire. On Sept. 25, Pope Leo will open his apostolic journey to France by presiding over solemn vespers alongside clergy, consecrated religious, and seminarians…