Paris Gears Up For Its First Papal Visit Since 2008

For observant Catholics in Paris, excitement is mounting for the visit of Pope Leo XIV, the first to the French capital by a pontiff since 2008. For four days, September 25th-28th, 2026, Pope Leo will visit France, including two days (the 25th and 26th) in Paris.

The last Pope to visit Paris was Benedict XVI in 2008. Notably, Leo’s predecessor Francis visited Marseille in 2023 and Corsica in 2024 but declined to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral that year. Despite the apparent snub, France is still seen as the Catholic Church’s “eldest daughter” since the conversion to Christianity of the Frankish king, Clovis, in the 5th century.

Despite a steady decline in church attendance over the past century, the pope has always been able to attract huge crowds, especially young people: in 1980 nearly 50,000 young people listened to John Paul II at the Stade de France, and 17 years later, in 1997, more than 300,000 assembled on the Champs de Mars for World Youth Day. In 2008 Benedict XVI spoke to 40,000. This time, up to 80,000 young people from all over France are expected to attend a youth vigil, again at the Stade de France.

More than a million people attended 1997’s closing mass at Longchamp while in 2008 Pope Benedict welcomed more than 260,000 followers at a mass at Les Invalides. This time, it is estimated nearly twice that number might attend Leo’s mass in the Place de la Concorde, and a million or more people to turn out to see the Pope across his three destinations: Paris, Lourdes and Metz.

Of course, the Pope is also a Head of State (of Vatican City) so a meeting with the French President is simply following protocol. In 2008 Benedict XVI discussed laïcity with the then-French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. It’ll be interesting to see what Leo XIV’s priorities are when he has a private conversation with President Macron, in a world much changed from that of 18 years ago.

For American Catholics in France, Leo XIV’s visit has a particular resonance, welcoming the first North American pope on French soil. Not only that, in the 250th anniversary year of American independence, he is visiting the USA’s oldest ally while not visiting his native country this year. Expect the speeches to emphasize the enduring friendship between the two countries. In addition, it is anticipated several thousand Francophile Americans will cross the Atlantic Ocean to witness his visit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pope Leo XIV (@pontifex)

Born as Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo is the first North American-born pope although he spent many years in Peru as a missionary and has Peruvian citizenship. He was a bit of a left-field choice by the Papal Conclave in 2025 in that few people seriously expected him to be elected. He took his papal name from Leo XIII, pope at the end of the 19th century who was known for supporting workers’ rights. In a similar vein, Leo XIV has spoken out about the threats of technology, such as robotics and AI, to the 21st-century labor market. He has also warned about the impact of climate change and spoken out on other environmental issues and human rights, especially immigrants. In this way he is continuing the socially engaged policies of his predecessor Francis, including an ecumenical approach to non-Christian faiths.

The Pope is expected to arrive at Orly Airport at 10 am on September 25th before being whisked away to the Elysée Palace for a meeting with Macron and a visit to UNESCO’s headquarters. His public appearances kick off at 4 pm as he starts a tour through Paris in the Popemobile, open to everyone. This will start at the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs, reach the Place Saint Michel at around 5 pm, and continue to a closed section of the Île de la Cité where he will attend Vespers in Notre Dame.

Spectators at the Pope’s procession through the Left Bank will be kept in cordoned-off pedestrianized areas. Once screened and inside an area, they will only be able to move to another zone by exiting and re-entering via another checkpoint.  A security perimeter with parking restrictions and Métro and road closures will be progressively put in effect from midmorning of the 24th to around 8 pm of the 25th, so if you need to get around the Left Bank, check the actual restrictions and plan an alternative route. You can find up-to-date information on getting around on the Ville de Paris website. 

Spectators can expect the usual bag checks so avoid bringing suitcases and cumbrous items like large rucksacks and bike helmets, which might be confiscated. Obviously, potentially dangerous items like fireworks and glass containers will be prohibited, as will alcohol.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pope Leo XIV (@pontifex)

After the procession, the Pope will make his way to the Stade de France for a great youth vigil starting at 7:30 pm until 10:30 pm. The following day, Saturday September 26th, starting at 3 pm, he will conduct an open-air mass in the Place de la Concorde and up the Champs Elysées. Again, there will be movement and traffic restrictions, which have actually been progressing since the start of September.

Even in today’s ultra-secular world and despite plummeting church attendance, the Pope still attracts crowds in their hundreds of thousands. This past week, Paris has been gripped with Céline Dion fever as the singing star performs a string of sold-out concerts. Next week, be prepared for the City of Light to be gripped by papal fever.