Pope Leo XIV to Visit France in September 2026

Pope Leo XIV will travel to France from 25 to 28 September 2026, marking his fifth international apostolic journey since his election. The itinerary includes meetings with French officials, youth, local clergy, charity centers, and a visit to the UNESCO headquarters. All speeches, homilies and announcements will be delivered in French except for the UNESCO address, which will be given in both French and English, and a separate address in Metz delivered entirely in English. The visit will be the ninth country Pope Leo XIV has visited, following a prior apostolic journey to San Marino in August 2026, which together count as the tenth such trip. The Vatican press office director, Matteo Bruni, outlined the program during a press conference on 18 September 2026. He emphasized that the Pope will engage with French society, its culture, history and faith, as well as with a Church that has described itself as devoted to the poorest and most vulnerable.

Discussions will also address France’s reflections on humanity, science, technology and artificial intelligence, and the potential for conflict in an open society. Bruni highlighted the role of the French Church in confronting contemporary challenges and noted recent growth in baptisms, with 13,000 adults baptized at the recent Easter Vigil in 2026. UNESCO was described as a place where humanity reflects on its past, present and future, and where peace through art and education is emphasized. Environmental concerns were also raised, given their close link to culture. The Vatican and UNESCO will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. The final leg of the journey will take place in Metz, a border city, focusing on Europe’s past, present and future, with themes of unity, diversity, peace and openness to other cultures. Accompanying the Pope will be Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Culture and Education Department; Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Apostolic Nunciature; Cardinal George Kúlováč, Head of the Inter‑religious Dialogue Department; and Archbishop Philippe Ianonne, Prefect of the Episcopal Conference.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, will not attend because he will be in New York at the United Nations headquarters. Previous papal visits to France include those by Pope Francis in 2014, 2023 and 2024, though none were official state visits. Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2008 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Lourdes apparitions, and Pope John Paul II made eight trips to France, including a visit to a French overseas territory in 1989. Pope John Paul II remains the only other Pope to have addressed UNESCO, doing so in 1980 on education, science and culture.