The Popes' trips to France

Pope Leo XIV will be the first Pope to visit France since Benedict XVI in 2008, 18 years ago, but also the first American Pope to do so, and the first after a period in which his predecessor, Pope Francis, visited French territory three times without making an official visit to Paris (Strasbourg (2014), Marseille (2023) and Ajaccio, Corsica (2024)).

The young people who met Pope Benedict XVI at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2008 are now parents themselves, and their children are eagerly awaiting the Pope's visit: the first papal encounter of their lives and the first "in their adult lives" for their parents (Vatican News).

Benedict XVI in 2008

Benedict XVI made his only visit to France from September 12 to 15, 2008, on an apostolic journey focused especially on the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes. 

He began his visit in Paris, where he was received by President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace, and met with authorities, representatives of the Jewish community, and figures from the cultural world at the Collège des Bernardins. He also celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame and a large Mass at the Esplanade des Invalides. 

Faith, reason, culture, and the search for truth

At the Collège des Bernardins, the German Pope delivered one of the most intellectually outstanding speeches of the trip, on the relationships between faith, reason, culture and the search for truth. 

The following day he traveled to Lourdes, where he visited sites associated with Saint Bernadette, toured the Grotto of the Apparitions, and participated in the torchlight procession. On September 14, he presided over the Mass commemorating the 150th anniversary of the apparitions and met with the French bishops; the next day he celebrated Mass for the sick before returning to Rome.

XII World Youth Day 1997

Saint John Paul II visited France on eight occasions, and one of the most important was his trip to Paris from August 21 to 24, 1997, on the occasion of the XII World Youth Day. 

The Pope met with young people from all over the world in the Champ de Mars and addressed them with a message about their responsibility for the future and about the spiritual values that make a free life possible. 

During those days he also visited the cathedral of Évry, addressed a message to the imprisoned youth, presided over the Stations of the Cross and celebrated in Notre-Dame the beatification of Frédéric Ozanam, founder of the Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul. 

Grand baptismal vigil and Mass at the racetrack

The culminating moment was the great baptismal vigil on August 23 and, the following day, the World Youth Day Mass at the Longchamp racecourse, before a multitude of young people, in which John Paul II commented on the Gospel passage “Teacher, where do you live?” (Jn 1:38), and presented the search for Christ as an answer to the fundamental question about the meaning of life.

A bit of history: 176 years without a papal visit

Saint John Paul II was the first pope to visit France (in 1980) since 1804, meaning 176 years had passed since Pius VII's visit. The Polish pope's eight visits were as follows:

• 1980: Paris and Lisieux
• 1983: Lourdes
• 1986: Lyon, Taizé, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Annecy
• 1988: Strasbourg, Metz and Nancy
• 1996: Reims and other locations
• 1997: Paris, on the occasion of World Youth Day
• 2004: Lourdes

Pius VII He was in France in 1804-1805, summoned by Napoleon for the imperial coronation at Notre-Dame de Paris. He arrived in Paris in November 1804 and stayed for several months; he even visited Versailles.

Past papal visits

Before him, historical sources record very ancient papal visits: Stephen II (752): He crossed the Alps to meet Pepin the Short; he was the first pope to enter the territory of the Frankish kingdom. John VIII (878): traveled to the kingdom of the Franks. Leo IX (1049): traveled through French territory. Urban II (1095): He passed through Valence and Le Puy on his way to the Council of Clermont, where he preached the First Crusade.

17 French Popes and 217 Italian Popes

Regarding the Popes, did you know that France is the second country of origin of Popes (17), although far behind Italy (217), according to Vatican sources?

Taking as a criterion the current country in which the birthplace is located, historical lists count 217 popes born in the territory of present-day Italy, compared to 17 born in the territory of present-day France. 

Next, at a considerable distance, come Germany with 6; Syria with 5-6 depending on the historical criteria used; Greece with 4, Tunisia with 3, and so on. These figures should be taken with some caution when considering the pontiffs of the Middle Ages, as modern nation-states did not exist then, and some birthplaces belonged to other political entities.

The seven Popes of Avignon, all French

Of the 17 French Popes, seven were from the so-called Avignon Papacy: Clement V, John XXII, Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, and Gregory XI. All of them were French and occupied the papal seat during the period commonly known as the Avignon Papacy (1309–1377), although Clement V was elected Pope in 1305 and Gregory XI died in Rome in 1378, after having returned from Avignon. 

It seems significant that, from Gregory XI to Leo XIV, no Pope born in the territory of present-day France has been re-elected. 

Regarding the role that Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) played in the return of the Popes to Rome, you can consult here.

Pope Leo XIV will go to Lourdes

Pope travel The apostolic journey from Leo XIV to France will last four days and five stages: the headquarters of the UNESCO, Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz. 

The visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lourdes It will take place after the two by Saint John Paul II, in 1983 and 2004, and that of Benedict XVI in 2008, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions, as has been noted.