Key facts
- Pope Leo is traveling to France from September 25 to 28.
- The Pope will address global rules for AI development.
- He will also address the Catholic Church's standing after abuse scandals.
- Pope Leo will meet with seven French abuse survivors in Lourdes.
- The visit includes stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.
- An outdoor Mass with Pope Leo in Paris on Saturday has registered 600,000 attendees.
Pope Leo departs on Friday for a significant weekend visit to France, aiming to address pressing issues including the Catholic Church's reputation following abuse scandals, the ethical development of artificial intelligence, and the future of Europe. The trip, spanning September 25 to 28, includes stops in Paris, the shrine of Lourdes, and Metz.
An estimated 600,000 people have registered for an outdoor Mass with the Pope in Paris on Saturday, indicating substantial public interest. The Pope's agenda includes meetings with President Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders at the Élysée Palace, as well as a speech to staff at UNESCO headquarters. AI is a central concern for Pope Leo, who has previously called for global regulations to oversee the technology, citing new dangers to security and international peace.
The visit occurs amidst tensions between the Catholic Church and the French government over recent legislation, including the enshrining of abortion rights in the constitution and the legalization of assisted dying. The Church's teachings oppose both.
Pope Leo will also lead a prayer service at the restored Notre-Dame cathedral, the first papal visit since the 2019 fire. This trip marks the first papal visit to France in nearly two decades and comes after a 2021 report detailed widespread abuse of children by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over 70 years. Survivors continue to seek accountability, and Pope Leo is scheduled to meet with seven French victims of abuse in Lourdes on Sunday. The Vatican has not provided further details on this meeting.
The tour concludes in Metz with a speech on "the roots of Europe for peace and unity." While President Macron has invited leaders from all 27 EU member states, attendance remains uncertain, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may be present.