France a ‘cultural beacon’ for the world, says Pope Leo
Leo XIV speaks in turn, in French, recalling his family roots in Normandy and southwestern Béarn.
“It is a great joy for me to be among you,” says the pontiff, before celebrating France’s historical role as a cultural and intellectual “beacon” for the world.
Macron vows to combat ‘intollerable’ attacks on faiths
Lamenting a “rise” in anti-religious acts, the French president vows to combat “intollerable” attacks on Christians, Jews and Muslims.
French secularism ‘in no way negates religion’
Macron defends the French principle of “laïcité”, or secularism, stressing that it upholds each citizen’s “freedom of faith and conscience”.
“When the republic decided, a little over one hundred and twenty years ago, on the separation of church and state, it gave shape to a distinctly French form of secularism that in no way negates religion,” Macron says.
Macron: ‘A great honour and a great joy for France’
The pope enters the Palace’s gilded reception hall to warm applause.
Speaking first, Macron says it is “a great honour and a great joy for France” to welcome the pontiff on French soil, adding that Leo’s visit brings “hope” to the country.
Pope and Macron to speak soon at Élysée Palace
The French president and his guest will be addressing an audience of some 500 people gathered at the presidential palace.
In addition to Catholic dignitaries, guests include Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the head of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet.
Macron will speak first, followed by the pontiff.
Watch: Why pope’s visit to France is more than just spiritual
Map: Pope Leo’s visit in Paris
At Élysée, pope and Macron discuss AI, euthanasia, protection of children
French President Emmanuel Macron is currently hosting the pope at the Élysée Palace.
Macron’s office said this morning that the meeting would provide an opportunity for the two to discuss global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence, along with European and international affairs. They are also expected to talk about end-of-life care and the protection of children.
Pope’s packed Friday
Pope Leo has a packed programme today.
This is what is on his schedule:
- 11am (although it was slightly delayed due to traffic): Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
- 11:45am: Addresses officials, civil society, diplomats at Élysée Palace
- 2:30pm: Visits UNESCO headquarters and delivers keynote speech
- 4:30pm The popemobile leaves UNESCO to go to the Notre-Dame Cathedral
- 5:30pm: Celebrates Vespers at Notre-Dame, gives a homily
- 8:30pm: Travels to Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris
- 9pm: Prayer vigil with youths at Stade de France
- 10:30pm: Leaves Stade de France
Ex-PM and presidential candidate Édouard Philippe calls visit ‘immense honour’ for France
Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister in President Emmanuel Macrons cabinet and a candidate in next year’s presidential election, said in a post on X that the pope’s visit represents a “great honour” for his country.
“His visit is a great joy for millions of Catholics and an immense honor for France,” he wrote.
“As conflicts multiply, the Pope’s visit to France carries a message that transcends the spiritual dimension alone: that of dialogue, peace, and hope. We need voices that remind us that peace must remain our shared political horizon in Europe and the world.”
In pictures: France welcomes the pope
Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives at Paris-Orly Airport for a welcome ceremony, in Paris, on September 25, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV was also welcomed on the tarmac by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.
All photos: Gregorio Borgia, AP
Read more: The dark past of France’s Catholic Church
While visiting Lourdes on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV will meet seven people who have been the victims of sexual abuse committed by members of the French clergy.
The story blew up in 2021, when aninquiry found that clergy or lay members of the Catholic Church had abused about 330,000 people as minors in France, over seven decades.
Since then, more scandals have been unveiled. It has also been revealed that several senior members of the clergy knew about the abuse but chose to stay silent to protect their colleagues.
Pope visit prompts closure of more than 20 Paris métro and train stations
Paris’s métro and train operator RATP has announced that 23 métro and commuter train (RER) stations will be closed in Paris this Friday and Saturday due to the visit. It warned that some disruptions can also be expected on parts of its network. Several streets in the city centre have equally been cordoned off.
Read more: Pope Leo’s personal ties to France
Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France – the first papal state visit since 2008 – has in France been labelled as a homecoming for the Chicago-born pontiff: His paternal grandmother came from Normandy and his father took part in the D-Day landings that led to Germany’s defeat in World War II.
France welcomes pope with ringing church bells
Church bells around France are ringing for seven minutes to celebrate the pontiff’s arrival.
This story originally appeared on France24
