Pope Leo XIV begins four-day visit to France on Friday

Pope Leo XIV will begin a four-day Apostolic Journey to France on Friday, September 25, with a packed program that will take him to Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz.

According to the official Vatican schedule, the Pontiff will arrive at Paris Orly Airport on Friday morning before traveling to the Élysée Palace, where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron. He will subsequently address representatives of the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

Later in the day, Pope Leo will visit the headquarters of UNESCO, where he is expected to address issues including artificial intelligence.

In the afternoon, the Pope will celebrate Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

His first day will conclude at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where he will participate in a prayer vigil with young people.

Mass at Place de la Concorde

On Saturday morning, Pope Leo will visit the Maison Bakhita Centre for Social Support and Integration before meeting members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens and newly baptized Catholics at the Institut Catholique de Paris.

At 3 p.m.,…