Map: Pope Leo’s visit in Paris
At Élysée, pope and Macron discuss AI, euthanasia, protection of children
French President Emmanuel Macron is currently hosting the pope at the Élysée Palace.
Macron’s office said this morning that the meeting would provide an opportunity for the two discuss global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence, along with European and international affairs. They are also expected to talk about end-of-life care and the protection of children.
Pope’s packed Friday
Pope Leo has a packed programme today.
This is what is on his schedule:
- 11am (although it was slightly delayed due to traffic): Meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
- 11:45am: Addresses officials, civil society, diplomats at Élysée Palace
- 2:30pm: Visits UNESCO headquarters and delivers keynote speech
- 4:30pm The popemobile leaves UNESCO to go to the Notre-Dame Cathedral
- 5:30pm: Celebrates Vespers at Notre-Dame, gives a homily
- 8:30pm: Travels to Stade de France in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris
- 9pm: Prayer vigil with youths at Stade de France
- 10:30pm: Leaves Stade de France
Ex-PM and presidential candidate Édouard Philippe calls visit ‘immense honour’ for France
Édouard Philippe, a former prime minister in President Emmanuel Macrons cabinet and a candidate in next year’s presidential election, said in a post on X that the pope’s visit represents a “great honour” for his country.
“His visit is a great joy for millions of Catholics and an immense honor for France,” he wrote.
“As conflicts multiply, the Pope’s visit to France carries a message that transcends the spiritual dimension alone: that of dialogue, peace, and hope. We need voices that remind us that peace must remain our shared political horizon in Europe and the world.”
In pictures: France welcomes the pope
Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives at Paris-Orly Airport for a welcome ceremony, in Paris, on September 25, 2026.
Pope Leo XIV was also welcomed on the tarmac by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.
All photos: Gregorio Borgia, AP
Read more: The dark past of France’s Catholic Church
While visiting Lourdes on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV will meet seven people who have been the victims of sexual abuse committed by members of the French clergy.
The story blew up in 2021, when aninquiry found that clergy or lay members of the Catholic Church had abused about 330,000 people as minors in France, over seven decades.
Since then, more scandals have been unveiled. It has also been revealed that several senior members of the clergy knew about the abuse but chose to stay silent to protect their colleagues.
Pope visit prompts closure of more than 20 Paris métro and train stations
Paris’s métro and train operator RATP has announced that 23 métro and commuter train (RER) stations will be closed in Paris this Friday and Saturday due to the visit. It warned that some disruptions can also be expected on parts of its network. Several streets in the city centre have equally been cordoned off.
Read more: Pope Leo’s personal ties to France
Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France – the first papal state visit since 2008 – has in France been labelled as a homecoming for the Chicago-born pontiff: His paternal grandmother came from Normandy and his father took part in the D-Day landings that led to Germany’s defeat in World War II.
France welcomes pope with ringing church bells
Church bells around France are ringing for seven minutes to celebrate the pontiff’s arrival.
Pope Leo XIV says reporters are welcome to cover him, affirms need for media when asked about Trump ban at White House
Pope Leo XIV told reporters they were welcome to cover him, as he responded to the Trump administration’s attempt to bar US media from the White House by affirming the role of journalists to cover public figures.
Asked by a CNN reporter about the Trump administration’s attempt to bar CNN and other reporters, Leo said the media was welcome on his plane.
“I am very happy that here, you are all welcome,” he said. “A good coverage I think is very important that we have it all the way around for everyone.”
Pope Leo XIV has touched down in France
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Paris deploys thousands of police officers, security staff to watch over visit
Some 14,000 police officers, gendarmes, and military personnel, as well as 2,500 firefighters will be on duty in Paris due to the pope’s visit this Friday.
Tomorrow, when the the pontiff will celebrate Mass at the Place de la Concorde in central Paris, the security staff number will only be slightly lower.
In pictures: Élysée Palace rolls out red carpet for pontiff
Preparations are currently under way at the Élysée Palace where the pope will meet French President Emmanuel Macron shortly after he arrives later this morning. The pontiff’s plane is expected to touch down at 10am.
Workers set up a red carpet at the Élysée Palace to welcome Pope Leo XIV as part of his four-day pastoral visit to France, September 25, 2026.
Photos: Teresa Suarez, AP
In pictures: Pope Leo XIV heads to France
Pope Leo XIV boards his flight to Paris at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino for a four-day pastoral visit to France, on September 25, 2026.
Prefect of the Papal Household Archbishop Milan Rajič, left, and his deputy, Father Edward Daniang Daleng, watch Pope Leo XIV’s flight leave Rome.
The pope waves to the crowds gathered at the Rome airport just before take-off.
All photos: Alessandra Tarantino, AP
