Pope Leo XIV met with migrants in Paris and called for dignity and peace

Pope Leo XIV met on Saturday in Paris with migrants supported by Maison Bakhita, on the second day of his visit to France. Before the liturgy scheduled at Place de la Concorde and on the Champs-Élysées, the pontiff called for “encounter and coexistence in dignity and peace.”

The pope listened to the testimonies of Afghan and Nigerian exiles and stressed that the history of the Church and of humanity is built not by those who occupy space through force, but by those who “make room,” create peace processes and inspire trust. Leo XIV also invoked the example of Saint Bakhita, the former Sudanese slave who became a Christian and was canonized.

Maison Bakhita was founded following the appeal launched in 2017 by former Pope Francis to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrants. The association provides courses, workshops, and medical and psychological services, including to people without documents.

Elected pope in May 2025, Robert Francis Prevost has consistently advocated defending the dignity of refugees and migrants and criticized restrictive migration policies. The visit is taking place amid a difficult social and financial context for France.