Leo XIV in France: what does the program of his visit reveal?

Eighteen years since this happened! In fifty days, on Friday September 25, a pope, Leo XIV, will set foot on French soil for a state visit. Desired by the French bishops from the first months of the pontificate and supported by Emmanuel Macron always eager for great diplomatic moments, this visit was quickly accepted by Leo XIV. The sovereign pontiff sees this as an opportunity to renew ties with the countries of Europe which have sometimes felt neglected by Francis, and a way of demonstrating his particular interest in France – particularly because of its catechumenal dynamism.

It remained to find the moment between the French electoral calendar and the agenda of the head of the Catholic Church. The choice therefore fell on the end of September, considered sufficiently far from the next presidential election. The impossibility for Emmanuel Macron to run for a third term also played a role.

As is customary, it is the diplomatic aspect which will open the sequence in Paris, with a visit to the Élysée Palace for an interview with the President and a speech to the country’s authorities. In a mirror game of speeches, the Head of State and the Pope will discuss bilateral relations. Leo The diplomatic component will continue with a visit to UNESCO. The opportunity for the Holy See to reaffirm the role of international institutions in dialogue between nations, at a time when geopolitical tensions are increasing.

The popemobile will of course be on the trip. On board to greet the Parisians, the Bishop of Rome will join Notre-Dame de Paris for vespers with consecrated persons. In the evening, the Pope will head towards the Stade de France. History will tell whether this tête-à-tête with some 75,000 young people will give birth in France to a “Leon XIV generation”, as was the case in 1980 at the Parc des Princes with John Paul II.

Amazing connection

On Saturday, September 26, the head of the Catholic Church will go to the Catholic Institute of Paris, installed in a former Carmelite convent and one of whose illustrious residents was Brother Laurent of the Resurrection (1614-1691), cited by Leo XIV as one of his main mentors. On the French side, this stage will be an opportunity to highlight the country’s still lively contribution to theological reflection.

The largest gathering of the trip will take place in the afternoon for a mass at which half a million people are expected. In an astonishing rapprochement between the national imagination and the Catholic liturgy, the Place de la Concorde, in Paris, will host the altar of the ceremony, while the crowd will gather on the Champs-Élysées. Considered for the 1997 WYD, the location was refused by the authorities, in particular because of its too close proximity to the commemorations of the bicentenary of the French Revolution – it was on this square that Louis XVI and a number of priests and religious were beheaded.

A surprise from the chef?

After the political capital, head for the religious capital: Sunday September 27 will be dedicated to the Marian city of Lourdes. Passage to the cave, large outdoor celebration and torchlight procession are on the program. Two meetings should be added, with bishops and with victims of sexual abuse. In this city where the sick have first place, the Pope should allude to the legalization of euthanasia to deplore it.

The trip will conclude with the most unexpected stopover, the city of Metz. In this territory scarred by the two world wars but which saw the birth of Robert Schuman, founding father of European construction, Leo XIV will underline that fraternity between yesterday’s enemies is possible. The episcopates of neighboring countries – Benelux and Germany – should also be represented during the mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral. A more official speech before representatives of European states cannot be ruled out either.

As this issue is completed, some uncertainties remain. One of them concerns a step that Leo XIV takes during each of his trips abroad: the visit to a place illustrating the social commitment of the Church, prison, orphanage or place of reception. A little surprise of which the Vatican has the secret, and which should be held on Saturday morning in Paris.