Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a significant visit to France, spanning four days and culminating in a monumental Mass in Paris. The event, expected to draw over 600,000 attendees, will be held at Place de la Concorde, with the surrounding Champs-Élysées cordoned off for the occasion. This visit underscores a rekindled spiritual interest among the French and Europeans, according to the Church.
Key Meetings and Events
The Pope’s itinerary includes a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at Orly airport, followed by discussions at the Élysée Palace on topics such as geopolitical issues and artificial intelligence. Despite not attending any Masses, Macron will be represented by his wife, Brigitte, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the Champs-Élysées Mass. This decision aligns with France’s strict secularism policy.
Several political figures, including presidential candidates like Marine Le Pen, Edouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Bruno Retailleau, are expected to attend the Mass. Despite reports of tension between Macron and the Vatican regarding the ceremonial aspects of the visit, Élysée officials have downplayed any disagreements, noting customary high-profile events for visiting heads of state.
Pope’s Itinerary and Historical Context
Following his arrival, Pope Leo will take a Popemobile ride through Paris, visiting the iconic Notre-Dame cathedral. In the evening, he will engage with 80,000 young people at the Stade de France. The Pope’s journey will also take him to Lourdes, where 150,000 attendees are registered for a Sunday Mass. On Monday, his visit continues to Metz, where he will honor Robert Schuman, a key figure in the European Union’s foundation.
The Pope will also meet migrants in Paris and victims of clergy abuse in Lourdes. His visit highlights France’s complex relationship with the Catholic Church, once known as the “Eldest Daughter of the Church.” Despite a decline in regular worshippers and clergy, recent years have seen a resurgence in religious interest, with adult baptisms on the rise.
Reviving Spirituality in a Secular Society
In the context of a largely secularized Europe, Cardinal François Bustillo of Ajaccio notes a spiritual void that people are increasingly seeking to fill. He suggests that Pope Leo’s visit serves as a reminder of France’s religious heritage. The Cardinal compares Pope Leo XIV’s potential impact to that of John-Paul II, who revitalized religious fervor in the East, as Pope Leo aims to do in the West.
