France’s Religious Tourism Takes New Centre Stage During Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Visit

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France hosted Pope Leo XIV for his four-day apostolic visit from 25 to 28 September 2026, when he visited Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz. The trip was the first official visit by the pontiff to the country since 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI made the trip. This visit involved meetings with crowds, religious rituals and discussions of various topics, including international affairs. This was happening in a nation where secularism governs the relationship between the State and religious institutions, but where the Catholic Church deals with questions of faith, social responsibility and public affairs. In his schedule, the pope made an appearance at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, organised a prayer vigil with youth at the Stade de France, made pilgrimage to Lourdes and spent the last day of his visit at Metz, discussing matters of European history, peace and unity. There were gatherings of crowds during different parts of the visit. According to Vatican News, the Mass held at Place de la Concorde was attended by about 700,000 people. At the Stade de France, a prayer vigil was attended by more than 80,000 youth. Over 150,000 people gathered at the Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Paris Draws Hundreds of Thousands of Faithful

Pope Leo began his visit in Paris on 25 September, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace. He also visited UNESCO, where discussions focused on human dignity, culture and the responsibilities accompanying technological progress.

At Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Pope celebrated Vespers with members of the French Church. The restored cathedral provided a significant setting for the gathering, following the devastating fire in April 2019 and the building’s reopening in December 2024.

Later, the prayer vigil at the Stade de France brought together young people from across the country. The gathering included religious testimonies, music and questions from participants, with the Pope encouraging young people to practise their faith without fear and engage with people from different backgrounds.

Lourdes Places Human Dignity at the Centre

On 26 September, Pope Leo travelled to Lourdes, one of the Catholic Church’s most prominent pilgrimage destinations. The town’s religious significance stems from the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.

The Pope prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle and participated in events at the sanctuary. On 27 September, he celebrated Mass attended by more than 150,000 pilgrims and faithful from France and other countries.

His visit also addressed questions surrounding suffering, care for sick people and the dignity of human life. These themes have particular relevance in France, where end-of-life legislation and assisted dying have been subjects of public and political debate.

The Pope’s programme included meetings with people receiving care and members of the sick community at Accueil Notre-Dame, a facility serving pilgrims with health needs. The visit highlighted Lourdes’ role not only as a destination for religious observance but also as a place offering support to people experiencing illness and vulnerability.

Seven Abuse Survivors Meet the Pope

A significant part of the Lourdes programme was a private meeting on 27 September with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse, comprising four men and three women.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope listened individually to their experiences and concerns during a meeting lasting approximately two hours. He reaffirmed his commitment to preventing further abuse and expressed solidarity with people who continue to suffer from its consequences.

Earlier that day, he urged French bishops to maintain the highest level of vigilance and continue efforts towards prevention, accountability, justice and support for victims.

The encounter took place against the background of France’s continuing response to clerical abuse. An independent commission’s 2021 report estimated that approximately 216,000 people had experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy or religious personnel during their childhood between 1950 and 2020.

Metz Connects European History with Calls for Peace

This last phase involved a trip by Pope Leo to Metz on 28 September. Metz is a town in northeastern France close to the German and Luxembourgian borders. It has a long history of ties to European history and reconciliation. At the Robert Schuman Conference Centre, Pope Leo attended an interreligious meeting and another event called “At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity”. The agenda focused on the link between the post-war integration of the continent and the modern challenges created by armed conflicts and international differences. The Pope also held a Mass at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral before leaving to Rome on the same day. The larger issues associated with the visit were the ethical use of artificial intelligence, the protection of human dignity and the relations between religious organisations and the state. At UNESCO, Pope Leo highlighted the need to ensure that technological advancement works for people instead of against their rights and interests. This trip came to an end on 28 September, with the Vatican later contemplating the themes of spiritual rejuvenation, social responsibility and peace. Pope Leo XIV will be travelling to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November 2026.