Pope Leo XIV to Make Historic State Visit to France in September 2026
The Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV will conduct an official state visit to France from September 25-28, 2026. This marks the first papal state visit in eighteen years, following invitations from President Emmanuel Macron and UNESCO. The itinerary includes Paris, where the Pope will address UNESCO amid budget challenges, and Lourdes. As the first American pontiff, Leo’s trip highlights diplomatic outreach to European Catholic communities and strengthens ties with secular France, occurring alongside reported tensions with the US administration over geopolitical stances.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Pope Leo XIV to Visit France in September, First Papal Trip in 18 Years
The Holy See has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will make an official state visit to France from September 25 to 28, marking the first papal visit to the country in 18 years. The trip comes in response to invitations from French head of state Emmanuel Macron, ecclesiastical authorities, and the director-general of UNESCO. During his stay, the Pontiff is scheduled to visit UNESCO headquarters in Paris and the Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes. French President Macron expressed delight at the confirmation, describing the visit as an honor and a moment of hope for Catholics and the nation. This visit follows a previous invitation renewed during Macron's April trip to the Vatican. The announcement highlights Pope Leo XIV's efforts to strengthen ties with secular Catholic countries in Europe, amidst recent political tensions with US President Donald Trump over the Pope's anti-war stance on the Iran crisis. Additionally, the Pope is scheduled to visit Spain in June, where he will meet Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and travel to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
Digi24Pope Leo XIV to Make Historic Visit to France in September
The Holy See has officially announced that Pope Leo XIV will conduct an official state visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. This journey marks the first papal visit to the country in 18 years, following a diplomatic engagement where President Emmanuel Macron traveled to the Vatican in April. The Pontiff accepted invitations from the French Head of State, local ecclesiastical authorities, and the Director General of UNESCO. A key component of the itinerary includes a visit to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The announcement comes amidst a complex geopolitical backdrop for the Pope, who is the first American to hold the papacy. Recently, Pope Leo has faced sharp criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump due to his anti-war stance regarding the ongoing Iran crisis. This visit signifies a significant diplomatic and religious milestone for both the Vatican and France, aiming to strengthen ties after nearly two decades without a formal papal presence in the nation.
POLITICOPope Leo XIV to Visit France and UNESCO in September, Skips US Trip
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will undertake a four-day visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. This journey marks his fourth foreign voyage of the year, following trips to Monaco, African nations, and an upcoming visit to Spain. A significant component of the French itinerary includes a stop at the UNESCO headquarters, providing the Pontiff a platform to address a global audience. This decision comes after Pope Leo opted against traveling to his native United States this year, thereby forgoing the opportunity to speak at the UN General Assembly in New York. The visit signals a strategic shift towards engaging with European Catholic communities, contrasting with his predecessor Pope Francis, who largely avoided major European Christian centers. While the France trip is confirmed, plans for a potential end-of-year visit to Latin America, particularly Peru, remain uncertain. The announcement highlights the Pope's active diplomatic agenda and his focus on cultural and religious dialogue within Europe amid reported renewed interest in faith among young adults.
News Today: Breaking News, Top Headlines & Live Updates | The HinduPope Leo to Make Historic State Visit to France and UNESCO in September
The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo, the first pope from the United States elected in May 2025, will conduct an official state visit to France from September 25 to 28. This marks the first papal state visit to the country since Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, distinguishing it from previous trips by Pope Francis which were not official state visits. A key component of the itinerary is a visit to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The agency is currently grappling with significant budget shortfalls following the United States' withdrawal from the organization last year. The visit follows an invitation extended by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed delight at the confirmation. Pope Leo, a French speaker, aims to engage with the historically Catholic but increasingly secular nation, addressing challenges within the Church while mediating between progressive and traditionalist factions. In addition to Paris, the Pontiff will travel to Lourdes, a major pilgrimage site in southwestern France, continuing a tradition established by his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The trip underscores the new Pope's focus on European engagement and diplomatic outreach.
The Straits Times World NewsPope Leo XIV to Make First Papal State Visit to France in 18 Years
The Vatican has officially announced that Pope Leo XIV will undertake an official state visit to France this coming September. This historic trip marks the first time a pontiff has made an official state visit to the country in eighteen years, highlighting a significant moment in diplomatic and religious relations between the Holy See and France. The announcement was made by Vatican officials on a Saturday, confirming that the Pope will travel to Paris for the occasion. While the provided text is brief, it establishes the core facts of the event: the identity of the visiting head of state (Pope Leo XIV), the destination (Paris, France), the timing (September), and the historical context (first such visit in nearly two decades). This visit is expected to draw significant international attention given the rarity of such high-level papal engagements with the French state. The source, France 24, identifies this as a top headline, underscoring its importance in current international affairs.
France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines