Pope Leo hears testimony of migrants in Paris: God opened ‘a new path for me’

PARIS — Pope Leo XIV listened to the stories of faith and hope of two migrants to France at an integration center in the Paris archdiocese on Saturday.

France is one of the European countries with the highest influx of immigrants — a highly divisive political issue that is also tied to next year’s presidential election, with anti-immigration politician Marine Le Pen the current front-runner.

Roughly 8 million immigrants live in France, representing 11.6% of France’s total population in 2025, according to the French national statistics institute .

Leo visited the Bakhita House , a center offering support and integration to immigrants in the Archdiocese of Paris. The pope’s visit falls on the fifth anniversary of the center, which offers educational workshops in sewing, cooking, visual arts, and computer skills.

Named for St. Josephine Bakhita — a child victim of abduction and slavery from Sudan — the day home has welcomed 2,500 people of 84 different nationalities since opening its doors in late September 2021. It is run by five permanent staff members and 100 volunteers.

“The name of your center … which refers to St. Bakhita, inspires us to recognize the fundamental role…