Pope Leo XIV made his first official visit to France in 18 years, drawing huge crowds as he toured the country earlier this week. The papal trip marks the first time a reigning pontiff has set foot on French soil since the late 2000s.
The visit is being hailed as a historic moment for the Catholic Church in France, a nation with deep Christian roots that has seen a decline in regular church attendance in recent decades. By traveling to France, Pope Leo XIV is renewing a tradition of papal outreach that dates back centuries.
Large numbers of faithful and curious onlookers gathered to see the pope, with spectators lining streets and public squares in several French cities. Organisers reported that the crowds were among the largest seen for any recent papal appearance in the country.
France has hosted numerous papal visits over the years, including trips by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, which were seen as opportunities to strengthen ties between the Vatican and the French Catholic community. The 18‑year gap since the last official papal visit underscores the significance of Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary.
While no specific statements were released about the outcomes of the trip, Vatican officials indicated that the visit aims to foster dialogue and support for the Catholic faithful in France, as well as to address broader social and moral issues facing the nation.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
