Pope Leo’s schedule for his four-day Apostolic Journey to France

Vatican City, August 8, 2026: The programme for Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to France from September 25–28 has been officially released. The four-day visit will include stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz before the Pope returns to Rome.

While Pope Francis travelled to Ajaccio, Corsica, in December 2024, Marseille in September 2023 and Strasbourg in 2014, none of these visits was constituted as an official state visit. Pope Leo’s journey will be the first such visit since Pope Benedict XVI travelled to France in September 2008.

France's President Macron meets Pope Francis in Corsica in 2024 (AFP or licensor)

September 25: From Rome to Paris

On Friday morning, Pope Leo will depart from Rome Fiumicino International Airport at 7:50am local time and fly to Paris Orly International Airport, where he is scheduled to land at 10am. Following a welcome ceremony, the Pope will meet the President of the Republic, Emanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace.

He will then address the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. In the afternoon, the Pope will visit the headquarters of UNESCO, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech.

The Pope will visit the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris

The final two events of the evening will be the celebration of Vespers with clergy and consecrated men and women at Notre-Dame Cathedral, where the Pontiff will deliver a homily.

Pope Leo will conclude his first day in France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where he will take part in a prayer vigil with young people.

September 26: Paris and Lourdes

Pope Leo’s second day in France will begin with a visit to the Maison Bakhita Centre for social support and integration, run by the Archdiocese of Paris. Inaugurated in September 2021, the Centre hosts or directly provides targeted and innovative support and advocacy programmes for people living in exile.

The project began in response to Pope Francis’ call in February 2017 "to welcome, protect, promote and integrate" every migrant, which he described as "a duty of justice, civilization and solidarity".

Pope Leo will then hold an audience with members of the provincial synodal assembly, catechumens and the newly baptised at the Institut Catholique de Paris (the Catholic University of Paris).

Before travelling by plane to Lourdes, the Pope will conclude his time in Paris with Mass at the Place de la Concorde.

After arriving in Lourdes, he will pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Massabielle at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

September 27: Lourdes

On the morning of his first full day in Lourdes, Pope Leo will address the bishops of the French Episcopal Conference in the Saint Bernadette auditorium at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. This will be followed by Mass at the Prairie, or meadow, of the Shrine.

He will then meet and greet the staff and sick community of the Accueil Notre Dame, a specialised residential healthcare facility and welcome centre where pilgrims from around the world come and stay during their pilgrimage.

Following this meeting, the Pontiff will hold a private meeting with the contemplative religious sisters at the Carmelite Monastery of Lourdes. The day will conclude with the traditional torchlight Rosary procession at the Shrine.

Torchlight procession at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes each day at 9:00 PM from April through October (AFP or licensors)

September 28: Lourdes, Metz, Rome

On the Pope’s final day in France, he will travel to Metz to attend an interreligious meeting and the “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity” meeting at the “Robert Schuman” Conference Centre.

A final Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Stephen will conclude Pope Leo’s time in France. The Neo-Gothic church, also known as the "Lantern of God," is renowned for its more than 6,500 square metres of stained-glass windows. The Pope will then return to Rome on a 7pm flight from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine International Airport.

Motto and logo

The logo for the visit features stained-glass windows reminiscent of the rose windows of France’s Gothic cathedrals, symbolising the beauty of communion and unity within the Church. According to an official statement, the centre of the logo features a pointed Gothic arch and the Cross, expressing "the apostolic and liturgical dimension of the journey." A dove, representing the Holy Spirit, carries an olive branch, a sign of peace for humanity.

Shades of blue, white and red, together with the yellow-orange of light and the green of hope, bring together the colours of France and those of the Vatican.

Logo and motto of the trip to France

The chosen motto, "That the world may have life," is described as "a call to hope and communion, encouraging people to overcome divisions in order to share peace, reconciliation, and fraternity, signs of new life in the world." The statement adds that these words also express "the spirit in which the Church in France welcomes the Holy Father's visit: with joy, openness, and a deep desire to bear witness to the life that comes from God."

Meeting with survivors of abuse

Alongside the release of the official programme, the Holy See Press Office announced that, "during his upcoming apostolic journey to France, Pope Leo XIV will meet privately with several survivors of abuse in the Church."

"The survivors themselves will be involved in preparing this meeting," the statement said, adding that no further details about the date, location or number of participants are being released at this time, although additional information may be provided later.

The meeting follows a similar encounter the Pope had with survivors during his visit to Spain. It has particular significance in France, where the Church has been deeply affected by the abuse crisis and has, in recent years, undertaken structural reforms and an ongoing process of accountability and healing.

Volunteers and Website

"Several months ago, we worked with the Pope to develop an initial draft of the program," said Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille and President of the French Bishops' Conference. "Since then, together with our collaborators at the Vatican, the Bishops' Conference, the dioceses of Paris and Metz, and the Sanctuary of Lourdes, we have worked intensively to finalize every detail of this journey. It is a great joy to be able to share it today with all of France."

Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise added: "Everything is being organized so that everyone who wishes to do so can take part in this exceptional event. Practical information and arrangements will be announced progressively as they are finalized."

The Archdiocese of Paris plans to recruit 10,000 volunteers to help welcome participants and organise the papal visit.

The Church in France has also launched a dedicated website for the Pope’s visit, where people can register free of charge to serve as volunteers or make a donation to support the event.

Courtesy: Vatican News