Pope Leo arrives in France for visit spanning faith and politics

Pope Leo XIV embarks on a four-day state visit to France, marking the Vatican's first official trip to the nation in 18 years. Upon arrival at the Paris tarmac, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte extend a warm welcome to the 71-year-old pontiff, whose paternal grandmother was born in France. The Holy See's permanent observer to the UN's culture agency, Monsignor Roberto Campisi, anticipates Pope Leo will address pressing global issues such as artificial intelligence regulation, migration challenges, clerical sexual abuse, and European peace during his address at UNESCO headquarters.

The popemobile procession from the airport to Notre-Dame cathedral will serve as the first official inspection of the cathedral's fire-damaged renovations in 2024. Pope Leo's itinerary includes a mass at the Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées, a prayer ceremony with thousands of youth in Saint-Denis, and a visit to the shrine of Lourdes, where he will discuss clerical sexual abuse cases.

This visit coincides with a period of rising adult baptisms in France, despite a generally declining trend of regular church attendance.