Pope Leo XIV has begun a four-day visit to France, with the high point of his trip expected to be a giant outdoor Mass in central Paris on Saturday, where nearly 600,000 people have registered to attend.
The Pope arrived at Paris-Orly Airport shortly before 10 a.m. local time on Friday, as church bells across France rang to mark the beginning of his visit. He was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, before inspecting a guard of honor and traveling to the Élysée Palace for talks with the president. KSAT+1
At the Élysée, Pope Leo met with French authorities, representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps. In his address, he recalled France’s historic contribution to European and global culture, highlighting its achievements in the arts, sciences, literature and philosophy.
He also praised the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire, describing the work by French architects and artists as an impressive technical achievement. The Pope is due to celebrate solemn Vespers at Notre-Dame later Friday. Notre Dame de Paris
Pope Leo also returned to one of the central themes of his papacy — the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity.
His first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, published in May, focuses on safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. The document argues that technological progress must remain guided by human dignity, conscience, freedom and the common good. Vatican+1
The Pope has emphasized that respect for human dignity and fundamental rights must keep pace with social and technological change, insisting that technological development must ultimately serve the human person.
The centerpiece of the Paris leg of the visit comes on Saturday afternoon, when Pope Leo will celebrate Mass from an altar erected at the Place de la Concorde. A large area extending along the Champs-Élysées and toward the Arc de Triomphe has been secured for the event, with authorities preparing for crowds approaching 600,000 people. Ministère de l’Intérieur+1
President Macron will not attend any of the Pope’s Masses during the four-day visit. Instead, Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu are expected to represent him at Saturday’s Paris celebration. Macron will continue to take part in the Pope’s official and political engagements, including welcoming him to France and receiving him at the Élysée Palace. catholicintelligence.com+1
Several prominent figures from France’s political scene are also expected at the Paris Mass, including Marine Le Pen, Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau.
After Paris, Pope Leo will travel to Lourdes, where another major public Mass is expected to draw around 150,000 people. He will then conclude his visit in Metz on Monday, where he is scheduled to address European leaders on peace and European unity. Ministère de l’Intérieur+1
The visit, the first by a pope to France in 18 years, is combining religious celebrations with discussions on artificial intelligence, peace, human dignity and Europe’s future. Reuters
This version is written in a straight news/broadcast style and avoids treating disputed explanations—such as Macron’s reasons for missing the Mass—as established fact.