Pope Leo XIV Begins Historic France Visit Amid Religious Revival and Abuse Scandal Reckoning

Pope Leo XIV commenced his fifth Apostolic Journey as Pontiff in France on Friday, marking the first formal papal visit to the nation, historically known as "the eldest daughter of the Church," since Pope Benedict XVI's visit in 2008. The four-day trip, themed "That the world may have life," arrives as France experiences a notable increase in adult baptisms, particularly among those aged 18 to 25.

According to the Conference of Bishops of France, over 21,000 adults have joined the Church this year. Retired French Bishop Marc Stenger described the papal visit as sparking a "real tidal wave" of interest, with French Catholics expressing a need for the Church to guide them through uncertain times. This resurgence occurs in the wake of a 2021 report detailing extensive abuse of children by clergy and lay leaders over seven decades, which the report characterized as demonstrating "deep, total and even cruel indifference" to victims. Stenger acknowledged that these scandals have "deeply wounded the Church and damaged its credibility."

In an unusual move, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo will hold a private meeting in Lourdes with seven victims of abuse, signaling a commitment to healing and vulnerability. The Vatican has framed the trip as "a journey that unites faith and public engagement, memory and the future, with listening and bridge-building at its heart."

Upon arrival Friday, Pope Leo was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and made a courtesy visit to Élysée Palace. He is scheduled to deliver 15 speeches during his visit, addressing themes such as the protection of immigrants, the sick, and the unborn, and defending human dignity in the era of artificial intelligence. He is also expected to discuss peace, culture, and unity.

Organizers anticipate up to 1 million people for Pope Leo's Saturday Mass at Paris’ Place de la Concorde, leading to an extended security perimeter. The pontiff will later parade in the Popemobile along the Champs-Élysées.

One of the significant stops on Sunday will be the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a major pilgrimage site. This location holds historical weight, having been the site where Pope John Paul II, on his final foreign trip in 2004, strongly condemned abortion and euthanasia.

Pope Leo's visit also occurs against a backdrop of recent legislative changes in France. The nation recently debated and passed legislation permitting adults with incurable illnesses to access lethal medication, following 2024 legislation that enshrined abortion as a constitutional right.

On Friday, Pope Leo addressed the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where he was expected to reiterate his call for a slowdown in AI development and speak on "the meaning of existence, to what makes human beings human and what does not." This stance follows his May warning about the dangers of AI and his call for international regulation of the industry. His position on AI has previously contrasted with a more pro-innovation stance, such as that encouraged by then-President Trump to compete with China.

Following the UNESCO speech, Pope Leo is scheduled to lead a prayer service at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, marking the first papal visit to the landmark since the 2019 fire that nearly destroyed it.

The trip concludes on Monday in Metz, a city considered a birthplace of European Union co-founder Robert Schuman. The Vatican indicated the Pope would use this occasion to "champion friendship among European peoples." French Ambassador to the Vatican Charles Personnaz stated that President Macron has invited leaders from all 27 EU member states to attend the speech and meet with the Pontiff. Reports also suggest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may attend.