Pope Leo XIV arrives in France on first apostolic visit in 18 years

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a four-day pilgrimage to France on Friday, marking the first official papal visit to the secular nation in 18 years, according to DW. The spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide was welcomed at Paris Orly Airport by French President Emmanuel Macron. During his stay, Leo is set to meet Macron at the Elysee Palace, address UNESCO headquarters, preside over a Mass for 80,000 young individuals at Notre Dame Cathedral, and celebrate another Mass at Stade de France for an estimated 80,000 attendees.

On Saturday, the pope plans to lead Mass at Place de la Concorde before traveling to Lourdes, a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site near France's Spanish border. Pope Leo XIV will deliver a speech titled "To the roots of Europe for peace and unity" in Metz, near the German border, on Monday. French President Macron will introduce the pontiff at the event, inviting EU leaders to join the gathering.

Upon his return, Pope Leo XIV expressed regret over a recent incident involving press restrictions, highlighting his position as a "pilgrim for peace" amidst global conflicts. The pontiff's itinerary also includes discussions on artificial intelligence, urging leaders to address concerns surrounding the technology's potential impact on security and international peace.