Pope Leo XIV has begun a four-day visit to France, travelling from 25 to 28 September with stops in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz. 🇫🇷
The opening programme includes meetings with French authorities, vespers at Notre-Dame de Paris and a youth vigil at the Stade de France. He is also due to address UNESCO in Paris.
📰 UNESCO has framed its event around artificial intelligence, education, information integrity, artistic creation and peace. The organization says it is the first papal visit to its headquarters in more than four decades. 🤖
The visit also includes a private meeting in Lourdes with seven survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy or personnel. French authorities are mounting enhanced security for large public events, including an outdoor Paris Mass expected to draw about 600,000 people.
Leo’s final stop is Metz, where the programme includes an interreligious meeting and a Mass for peace. The trip is France’s first official papal state visit since Benedict XVI’s 2008 journey.