Here's What Pope Leo XIV's Visit to France Will Look Like

The Holy See has released the itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to France from September 25 to 28, a visit that will combine meetings with the country’s leading authorities, an address at UNESCO headquarters, liturgical celebrations in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, and various events with young people, bishops, members of religious orders, and people in vulnerable situations. Over the course of the four-day trip, the Pontiff will deliver nine speeches and four homilies, in addition to presiding over several celebrations and moments of prayer.

The Vatican has also announced that, during his stay in France, the Pontiff will hold a private meeting with several victims of abuse committed within the Church. According to the Holy See, the victims themselves will be involved in preparing for this meeting, the details of which will be announced at a later date. Below is the complete itinerary for the Holy Father’s apostolic trip.

Friday, September 25

Rome – Paris – Saint-Denis – Paris

07:50 Flight from Rome-Fiumicino International Airport to Paris.
10:00 Arrival at Paris-Orly International Airport. Welcome ceremony.
11:00 Visit with the President of the Republic at the Élysée Palace.
11:45 Meeting with government officials, civil society representatives, and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace.
15:00 Visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
17:15 Celebration of Vespers with the bishops, priests, deacons, men and women in consecrated life, and seminarians at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
21:00 Prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Saturday, September 26

Paris – Lourdes

09:00 Visit to the Maison Bakhita Support and Social Integration Center.
10:15 Meeting with members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens, and new believers at the Catholic Institute of Paris.
15:00 Holy Mass at Plaza de la Concordia.
17:45 Flight from Paris-Orly International Airport to Lourdes.
19:05 Arrival at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées International Airport.
19:40 Prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions in Massabielle, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Sunday, September 27

Lourdes

09:00 Meeting with the bishops of the French Episcopal Conference in the Santa Bernardita Chamber at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
11:00 Holy Mass at the Meadow of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
15:30 A gathering with the staff and residents of Accueil Notre-Dame at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.
16:45 Private meeting with the contemplative nuns at the Carmelite Monastery in Lourdes.
21:00 Prayer of the Holy Rosary and torchlight procession at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Monday, September 28

Lourdes – Metz – Rome

07:40 Flight from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées International Airport to Metz.
09:20 Arrival at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine International Airport.
10:00 Interfaith gathering at the Robert Schuman Convention Center in Metz.
11:00 «At the Roots of Europe: For Peace and Unity» conference at the Robert Schuman Convention Center in Metz.
16:00 Holy Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral.
18:30 Farewell ceremony at Metz-Nancy-Lorraine International Airport.
19:00 Departure by plane to Rome.
20:50 Arrival at Rome-Fiumicino International Airport.

Logo and motto of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to France

The logo for the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to France depicts a circular stained-glass window, reminiscent of the rose windows found in Gothic cathedrals, and symbolizes the beauty of the Church’s communion and unity. In the center, the pointed arch and the cross express the apostolic and liturgical dimensions of the visit. The dove, hovering in the center of the image, symbolizes the Holy Spirit and carries an olive branch as a sign of peace for all humanity. The colors blue, white, and red represent France; they intertwine with the colors of the Vatican to create the orange of light and the green of hope, highlighting the spiritual dimension of the visit.

The chosen theme: «That the world may have life» (cf. Jn 6:51), is an invitation to recognize the greatest gift that Christ the Savior has bestowed upon us. It is also a call to hope and communion, which encourages us to overcome divisions in order to share in peace, reconciliation, and fraternity—signs of new life in the world. These words of Jesus also express the spirit with which the Church in France welcomes the Holy Father’s visit—that is, with joy, openness, and a deep desire to bear witness to the gift of life that comes from God.