Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old pontiff, has arrived at Paris Orly Airport for a four-day visit to France, marking the first official Vatican state visit to the country in 18 years. Greeted on the tarmac by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, the trip is the pope's fifth Apostolic journey since becoming pontiff last year and follows a tour of Africa.
The visit combines diplomatic and religious objectives, focusing on the search for peace amid geopolitical instability and the respect for the dignity of every human life. Pope Leo XIV aims to repair the Catholic Church's standing following sexual abuse scandals in France. Additionally, he will address the unexpected re-emergence of religious identification among young people within a secular society.
A central part of the agenda is the challenge posed by artificial intelligence and technological change to humanity. The pope is scheduled to deliver a landmark speech on AI development and regulation at UNESCO. In Metz, he will discuss the future of Europe with several European leaders expected to attend.
The pope's itinerary in Paris includes a popemobile procession, a prayer service at Notre-Dame, and a youth vigil at the Stade de France. The visit will feature a mass at Place de la Concorde, which is expected to draw up to one million people, before the pope continues his journey to Lourdes and Metz.