GBAF Logo
Pope Leo likely to visit France in September, bishops say
Headlines

Pope Leo likely to visit France in September, bishops say

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 6, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: May 6, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
headlines Religion International

Pope Leo Expected to Visit France in September with Stops in Paris and Lourdes

Pope Leo XIV's Anticipated Visit to France

Announcement by French Bishops

PARIS, May 6 (Reuters) - Pope Leo is likely to visit France at the end of September, the country's bishops announced in a statement on Wednesday, in what would be the pontiff's second visit to a European Union country outside Italy.

Planned Destinations: Paris and Lourdes

"In the proposed program, Pope Leo XIV could go to Paris and Lourdes," the French bishops' conference said in the release, which also asked Catholics to pray in preparation for the pontiff's visit.

Unusual Announcement Procedure

Role of the Vatican

It is unusual for local bishops to announce a papal visit, which the Vatican usually announces. The Vatican's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Pope Leo's Recent and Upcoming Travels

Previous International Visits

Leo, the first U.S. pope, has undertaken three trips outside Italy since becoming the leader of the Church a year ago.

Upcoming Visit to Spain

First Trip to a European Union Nation Outside Italy

He is also due to visit Spain from June 6-12, in his first trip to a European Union nation outside Italy.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta;Additional reporting by Joshua McElweeEditing by Rod Nickel)

Key Takeaways

  • The French bishops’ conference stated on May 6 that Pope Leo XIV “could go to Paris and Lourdes” at the end of September, requesting prayers to prepare for his visit. This announcement is unusual, as such trips are typically confirmed by the Vatican (vaticannews.va).
  • If confirmed, the France trip would be Pope Leo XIV’s second visit to an EU country outside Italy—after Monaco in March—and follow his scheduled Spain visit from June 6–12 (en.wikipedia.org).
  • Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, is the first U.S.-born pontiff and also the first from the Augustinian Order, continuing a pattern of growing pontifical outreach beyond traditional Italian strongholds (en.wikipedia.org).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Pope Leo likely to visit France?
Pope Leo is expected to visit France at the end of September, according to a statement from the French bishops.
Which cities in France might Pope Leo visit?
The proposed program suggests Pope Leo could visit Paris and Lourdes during his trip.
Who announced Pope Leo's possible visit to France?
The announcement was made by the French bishops' conference, which is unusual as the Vatican typically makes such announcements.
Has the Vatican officially confirmed the visit?
The Vatican's press office has not yet responded to requests for comment or officially confirmed the visit.
What other trips outside Italy has Pope Leo planned?
Pope Leo is also due to visit Spain from June 6-12, marking his first trip to a European Union nation outside Italy.

Tags

Related Articles

Image for Macron says he discussed Hormuz situation with Iran's president

Macron says he discussed Hormuz situation with Iran's president

Image for Top Vatican cardinal calls Trump's attacks on Pope Leo 'strange'

Top Vatican cardinal calls Trump's attacks on Pope Leo 'strange'

Image for Israeli airstrike kills colonel in Hamas-led Gaza police force, medics say

Israeli airstrike kills colonel in Hamas-led Gaza police force, medics say

Image for Venice Biennale 'not a court', president says after readmitting Russia

Venice Biennale 'not a court', president says after readmitting Russia

Image for Hungary returns seized cash and gold to Ukraine's Oschadbank, Zelenskiy says

Hungary returns seized cash and gold to Ukraine's Oschadbank, Zelenskiy says

Image for Fragmentation looms as record number of hopefuls seek seats in Cyprus vote

Fragmentation looms as record number of hopefuls seek seats in Cyprus vote

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category

Image for Pope to visit Canary Islands, migrant entry point, on trip to Spain
Pope to visit Canary Islands, migrant entry point, on trip to Spain
Image for EU prosecutors investigate Croatia over suspected farm fund fraud
EU prosecutors investigate Croatia over suspected farm fund fraud
Image for China condemns Eswatini for being 'kept and fed' by Taiwan in travel row
China condemns Eswatini for being 'kept and fed' by Taiwan in travel row
Image for Northern Irish police make three arrests after hijacked car driven to police station
Northern Irish police make three arrests after hijacked car driven to police station
Image for Eastern Poland forest fire kills pilot, scorches over 200 hectares
Eastern Poland forest fire kills pilot, scorches over 200 hectares
Image for Spain asks European Commission to block US sanctions on ICC
Spain asks European Commission to block US sanctions on ICC
Image for London police set up specialist Jewish protection team
London police set up specialist Jewish protection team
Image for Germany raids suspected members of far-right criminal groups
Germany raids suspected members of far-right criminal groups
Image for Ukraine says Russia violated ceasefire initiated by Kyiv
Ukraine says Russia violated ceasefire initiated by Kyiv
Image for Cargo ship sinks off Greece, all crew safe, coast guard says
Cargo ship sinks off Greece, all crew safe, coast guard says
Image for A year into papacy, Leo finds his 'clarion voice'
A year into papacy, Leo finds his 'clarion voice'
Image for UK's Princess of Wales to visit Italy in first overseas trip since illness
UK's Princess of Wales to visit Italy in first overseas trip since illness
View All Headlines Posts