PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV visits France’s restored Notre-Dame Cathedral

Pope Leo XIV is visiting 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.

On Sept. 25, he celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt after the devastating 2019 fire.

Paris gives Pope Leo XIV a joyful welcome as thousands lined the streets for his first popemobile ride through the French capital on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Crowds assemble outside the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral for Pope Leo XIVʼs visit on Sept. 25, 2026, seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the cathedral.| Credit: Vatican Media

Thousands gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina with Pope Leo XIV before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishopʼs palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican Media

Upon entering the…