Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Journey to France's Official Theme and Prayer - Catholic Bishops Release 5 Key Events and Information
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to France in September. Therefore, the Catholic bishops of the country have released some key information about the visit:
It's now official: the Holy See has confirmed The apostolic journey (official visit of the Pope) to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. Find in this file the resources to understand and prepare for this important visit for the Catholic Church in France.
Image Credit - Catholic Bishops' Conference of France
Key points to remember about the Pope's visit to from September 25th to 28th, 2026
A trip at the invitation of the Head of State and the ecclesiastical authorities of France, as well as that of the Director-General of UNESCO
Five major events have already been scheduled in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
+ Jean-Marc Cardinal Aveline,
Archbishop of Marseille,
President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Source https://eglise.catholique.fr/vatican/pape-leon-xiv/voyages-officiels-pape-leon/pape-leon-xiv-france-septembre-2026/
Key points to remember about the Pope's visit to from September 25th to 28th, 2026
A trip at the invitation of the Head of State and the ecclesiastical authorities of France, as well as that of the Director-General of UNESCO
Five major events have already been scheduled in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
The main events of this apostolic journey, so that everyone can make arrangements:
1. Friday, September 25: Solemn Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Priests, deacons and their wives, consecrated persons, religious sisters and brothers, as well as seminarians from all over France are invited.
2. On the evening of Friday, September 25th: a large prayer vigil with the youth of France
3. Saturday, September 26, in the afternoon: solemn open-air mass in Paris
4. Sunday, September 27th, in the afternoon: Mass in Lourdes, on the meadow facing the Grotto
5. Monday, September 28th in the afternoon: Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz.
2. On the evening of Friday, September 25th: a large prayer vigil with the youth of France
3. Saturday, September 26, in the afternoon: solemn open-air mass in Paris
4. Sunday, September 27th, in the afternoon: Mass in Lourdes, on the meadow facing the Grotto
5. Monday, September 28th in the afternoon: Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz.
An official platform for practical information, pilgrim and volunteer registration: https://www.pape-france.fr
The official motto of the journey: "so that the world may have life"
An official prayer to welcome him
All the faithful in France are invited to recite a prayer as a family, in their parish , or in their community, to accompany the preparations for the Pope's visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. " The Pope's visit to our country is a grace that God bestows upon France," Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, President of the French Bishops' Conference , repeatedly stated . "May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, so that we may be open to what God will give to our Church and our country through the visit of the Successor of Peter! "
Lord our God, You who never cease to sow in our hearts
the desire to live in justice and peace,
we give you thanks for the visit
to France and to UNESCO
of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
Bless his apostolic journey.
Prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy.
Grant us to receive his words with confidence.
Teach us to serve the magnificent humanity you created.
Strengthen our faith, solidify our hope , and inspire our charity .
Through the intercession of Our Lady and all the saints of France,
make us artisans of unity, so that the world may have life.
May the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV
bear abundant and blessed fruit
for the Church, our country, and the world.
You, the Author of life, for ever and ever.
The official motto of the journey: "so that the world may have life"
An official prayer to welcome him
All the faithful in France are invited to recite a prayer as a family, in their parish , or in their community, to accompany the preparations for the Pope's visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. " The Pope's visit to our country is a grace that God bestows upon France," Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, President of the French Bishops' Conference , repeatedly stated . "May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, so that we may be open to what God will give to our Church and our country through the visit of the Successor of Peter! "
Lord our God, You who never cease to sow in our hearts
the desire to live in justice and peace,
we give you thanks for the visit
to France and to UNESCO
of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.
Bless his apostolic journey.
Prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy.
Grant us to receive his words with confidence.
Teach us to serve the magnificent humanity you created.
Strengthen our faith, solidify our hope , and inspire our charity .
Through the intercession of Our Lady and all the saints of France,
make us artisans of unity, so that the world may have life.
May the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV
bear abundant and blessed fruit
for the Church, our country, and the world.
You, the Author of life, for ever and ever.
***********
But the most important thing is spiritual: above all, we must prepare ourselves to receive the grace that God wishes to bestow upon France and our Church. Through our inner openness and our missionary boldness, let us prepare ourselves to cooperate in the work that the Holy Spirit will accomplish in hearts during the visit of the successor of Peter. I therefore entrust to your prayers the preparation for this great event.+ Jean-Marc Cardinal Aveline,
Archbishop of Marseille,
President of the Conference of Bishops of France
Source https://eglise.catholique.fr/vatican/pape-leon-xiv/voyages-officiels-pape-leon/pape-leon-xiv-france-septembre-2026/
Comments