Pope Leo XIV begins a four-day visit to France on Friday, with stops in Paris, Lourdes and Metz

Pope Leo XIV begins his first four-day visit to France on Friday in Paris, where he will attend religious events and address issues including artificial intelligence, migration, peace and combating sexual violence.

The 71-year-old pontiff’s plane is expected to land at Orly Airport at 11:00 a.m. Romania time. Pope Leo XIV will be welcomed by President Emmanuel Macron, after which he will deliver speeches at the Élysée Palace and UNESCO headquarters, where he is expected to call for the regulation of artificial intelligence.

During the day, Leo XIV will take part in a procession through central Paris and celebrate vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral, becoming the first pope to visit the landmark since its reopening in December 2024. In the evening, around 80,000 young people are expected at the Stade de France for a prayer vigil.

The visit will continue in Lourdes and Metz and will take place under strict security measures: 15,000 police officers and gendarmes, 17,000 volunteers and 2,500 accredited journalists. Up to 600,000 worshippers are expected at Saturday’s Mass, to be held in the area around Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées.