Pope Leo XIV arrives in France for historic four-day visit, calls for peace

Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday, September 25, 2026, for a historic four-day visit, his first to the country since his election in 2025, according to an AFP journalist travelling aboard the papal aircraft.

The aircraft carrying the American-born Pontiff landed shortly before 10 a.m. at Orly Airport, near Paris, where he was due to be welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Pope is scheduled to deliver his first official address of the visit at the Élysée Palace later on Friday.

Speaking to journalists aboard the aircraft, Pope Leo XIV said that his main objective during the visit was to “proclaim peace,” noting that the trip would address several important issues.

Asked about the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, the Pope described the situation as “a genuine humanitarian crisis” and emphasized the need to find solutions to prevent similar emergencies in the future.

Source: ANA-MPA