Pope Leo to visit France in September
Pope Leo XIV will make an official state visit to France from September 25 to 28, marking the first papal visit in 18 years. The pope, who is the first from the United States, will visit Paris and Lourdes during his trip. This visit reflects his interest in engaging with European countries that have become more secular in recent years.
- ▪Pope Leo XIV's visit to France is scheduled for September 25 to 28, 2026.
- ▪This will be the first papal state visit to France since Benedict XVI's in 2008.
- ▪The pope will visit UNESCO headquarters in Paris and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes.
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Pope Leo XIV prays in the chapel during a visit to the Sapienza University of Rome, on May 14, 2026. ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP Pope Leo XIV will travel to France for an official state visit from September 25 to 28, the Vatican announced on Saturday, May 16, the first such trip by a pontiff in 18 years. The first pope from the United States, elected in May 2025, will notably travel to Paris for a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations culture agency, the Vatican said in a statement. The visit will come after a trip to Spain in June, demonstrating the pope's interest in engaging with historically Catholic but increasingly secular European countries that had been largely overlooked by his predecessor, Francis.
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