The Journey of "Rebirth": Pope Leo XIV's Historic Visit to France
By Nino Kopaleishvili
Monday, October 12, 2026
France hosted its first papal visit in 18 years in September, as Pope Leo XIV embarked on a four-day trip calling for peace in Europe and the protection of life at every stage. He also warned against the danger of "losing humanity" to artificial intelligence. The visit, which took place from September 25 to 28, included stops in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
On September 30, addressing the General Audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reflected on his visit to France, identifying Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris as a central symbol of the journey. The 12th-century cathedral, renowned for its Gothic architecture, survived a devastating fire in 2019 and has since been restored. During the Pope's visit, a solemn celebration of Vespers was held inside the cathedral, accompanied by music and singing.
"It is precisely Notre-Dame, with the tragedy it has endured, that can symbolically shed light on this entire Apostolic Journey, offering a perspective that I would summarize in one word: rebirth," Pope Leo XIV said.
Reflecting on the cathedral's restoration, which brought together the expertise of skilled professionals and the generosity of benefactors, the Pope described the project as a test of the potential for cooperation between the Church, the State, public institutions and civil society.
"The synergy for the common good should be the norm for institutions, political and social forces, and all those with civil and economic responsibilities," he said.
During the four-day Apostolic Journey, Pope Leo XIV visited Paris, Lourdes and Metz. Upon his arrival in France on September 25, he was received at Paris-Orly Airport before meeting President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. Later that day, he visited the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral.
On September 26, the Pope celebrated Mass at Place de la Concorde in Paris. According to his subsequent account of the visit, the congregation extended along the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and beyond. The Pope also met with catechumens and newly baptized Catholics, reflecting on the growing number of young people and adults in France seeking baptism.
On the evening of September 25, he met thousands of young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where he participated in a prayer vigil.
During his General Audience on September 30, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the increase in the number of young people and adults seeking baptism in France, describing it as a sign of renewal within the French Church.
Artificial intelligence was another subject addressed during the visit. At a press conference aboard his flight back to Rome on September 28, the Pope discussed the potential threats posed by AI and emphasized that concerns about its effects should be taken seriously. The Vatican had already addressed the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in May 2024, when it published guidance on the technology's potential risks and benefits.
During his visit to Paris, Pope Leo XIV also met with representatives of UNESCO and visited the Maison Bakhita, a centre providing social support and integration services.
The final stage of his journey took him to Metz, in northeastern France, on September 28. There, he met representatives of different religious traditions and called for peace and unity in Europe. He also celebrated Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral.
In his September 30 address, the Pope drew a parallel between the restoration of Notre-Dame and Europe's recovery after the Second World War. He described postwar European integration as a project for peace founded on democracy, solidarity and fraternity among peoples, principles he said owe much to Europe's Christian roots.
Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Journey to France was announced by the Holy See on May 16, 2026. His visit also included a meeting with French authorities and a visit to UNESCO, whose Paris headquarters he had previously highlighted as an important setting for cooperation in support of human dignity.
