The Pope Leo XIV is expected in France for an apostolic journey from September 25 to 28, 2026, which should take him to Paris, to UNESCO’s headquarters, in the 7th arrondissement. This first official visit to France, confirmed by the Holy See, is being organized at the invitation of French authorities, church leaders and UNESCO. The Conference of French Bishops welcomed the announcement as “a great joy and a great responsibility.”
This visit will carry diplomatic, spiritual, and symbolic weight. The papal visit to UNESCO should give him a platform to address an international body devoted to education, culture, sciences and dialogue among peoples. According to information published by franceinfo, Paris is indeed on the itinerary for the trip, even though the exact sequence of events has not yet been fully detailed.
The venue de Léon XIV en France is all the more noteworthy as it follows the pontificate of François, who had never undertaken a state visit to Paris. His predecessor visited Marseille in 2023, then Corsica in 2024, but he did not participate in the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris. For Léon XIV, this visit could thus mark a new chapter in the Vatican’s relations with France and with the capital.
The full itinerary remains to be finalized. A stop in Lourdes had been mentioned during preparatory talks, but it has not been confirmed at this stage by the Holy See. Further practical details—such as which locations will be open to the public, any road restrictions, or scheduled ceremonies—are expected to be announced as the visit approaches.
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