Pope Leo XIV to Visit France, Preside Over Paris Open-Air Mass
Pope Leo XIV will visit France, marking his first formal visit in nearly two decades, with events including an open-air mass and meetings with French leaders.
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Pope Leo XIV will make his first formal visit to France in nearly two decades this weekend, marking a significant moment in the Catholic Church’s engagement with the European nation. The Pope will be in France from September 25 to September 28, during which he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and attend a massive open-air mass at the Champs-Élysées. Over 600,000 faithful have already registered to attend the event, which is expected to be a major spiritual and cultural highlight of the visit.
A Focus on Faith, Culture, and Europe
The Vatican has outlined that the Pope’s visit will focus on ‘faith, culture, and Europe,’ emphasizing the importance of these themes in the context of France and the broader European region. This visit comes after a long gap since Pope Benedict XVI’s official visit to France in 2008, which was seen as a significant effort to reinvigorate Catholicism in the country.
Personal Connections to France
France 24 noted that this visit is also a ‘homecoming’ for Pope Leo XIV, given his deep spiritual roots in French Catholicism. The Pope, formerly known as Bishop Robert Prevost, has strong familial ties to France, with grandparents originating from Normandy and his family having a significant French heritage on both sides. According to France 24, the Pope is 40 percent French, with connections spanning French Canadian and French Caribbean lineage.
Additional Stops and Economic Impact
In addition to the open-air mass in Paris, Pope Leo will visit the Sanctuary of Lourdes, one of the most-visited Catholic shrines in the world. The Pope is expected to preside over a Sunday mass at Lourdes, with an estimated turnout of 150,000 faithful. France 24 highlighted that the Pope’s visit is likely to boost the local economy and, similarly, is contributing to a surge in tourism across France, following the recent visit of Canadian pop star Céline Dion.
Future Plans in Latin America
Pope Leo XIV has also announced plans for a ‘homecoming’ visit to Latin America later this year, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Peru, in particular, holds a special place for the Pope, as he served the Church there for nearly four decades and has referred to the country as a second home.
Source: Breitbart
