Pope Leo XIV's Visit to France Includes Stops in 4 Historic Places and Meeting with Abuse Survivors - FULL Schedule and Motto Released by the Vatican


 The Vatican has released the official itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s fifth Apostolic Journey, taking place in France from September 25–28. This marks the first official Papal State visit to France since Pope Benedict XVI's trip in September 2008. Over four days, the Pope will visit Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz.

Official Itinerary

Friday, September 25: Rome & Paris

  • 7:50 AM: Departure from Rome Fiumicino Airport, landing at Paris Orly at 10:00 AM.

  • Morning: Official welcome ceremony followed by a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and an address to civil authorities, diplomatic corps, and public figures.

  • Afternoon: Address at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

  • Evening: Celebration of Vespers and a homily at Notre-Dame Cathedral with clergy and religious leaders.

  • Night: Prayer vigil with youth at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Saturday, September 26: Paris & Lourdes

  • Morning: Visit to the Maison Bakhita Center for social integration and exile support; audience with the provincial synodal assembly, catechumens, and newly baptized at the Institut Catholique de Paris.

  • Midday: Celebration of Mass at the Place de la Concorde.

  • Afternoon: Flight to Lourdes; prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle.

Sunday, September 27: Lourdes

  • Morning: Address to the French Episcopal Conference at the Saint Bernadette Auditorium; Mass at the Shrine’s meadow.

  • Afternoon: Meeting with patients and staff at the Accueil Notre Dame healthcare facility; private audience with contemplative sisters at the Carmelite Monastery.

  • Evening: Traditional torchlight Rosary procession at the Shrine.

Monday, September 28: Lourdes, Metz, & Rome

  • Morning: Flight to Metz; participation in an interreligious meeting and the "To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity" gathering at the Robert Schuman Conference Centre.

  • Afternoon: Final Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen ("Lantern of God").

  • 7:00 PM: Departure from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport back to Rome.

Key Trip Details

  • Meeting with Abuse Survivors: The Holy See Press Office confirmed Pope Leo XIV will hold a private meeting with survivors of Church abuse during the trip, following a similar encounter in Spain. Details regarding the exact date, location, and participants remain confidential as survivors actively assist in planning the meeting.

  • Motto & Logo: Guided by the theme "That the world may have life," the trip's logo features a Gothic rose window, a central cross, and a peace dove carrying an olive branch, combining the national colors of France with those of the Vatican.

  • Logistics & Volunteering: Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and Bishop Benoît Bertrand emphasized the extensive collaboration between the Vatican, the French Bishops' Conference, and local dioceses. The Archdiocese of Paris aims to recruit 10,000 volunteers, and an official website has been launched for registration and donations.

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