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Pope Leo XIV France visit

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Pope Leo XIV delivers his final addresses in France, challenging the continent's secular policies.From: Pope Leo XIV Condemns 'Illusion of Rearmament' and Assisted Dying as France Visit Concludes

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On September 28, Pope Leo XIV concluded his four-day state visit to France by condemning European military buildups and proposed right-to-die legislation. Speaking at a shrine known for healing, the pontiff described the continent's push for rearmament as an "illusion" that does not address the root causes of conflict.

During his final addresses by 17:28 UTC, the Pope criticized assisted dying laws, calling them "false compassion" and "not normal." He urged Europe to reconnect with its Christian roots to find genuine solutions to its current geopolitical and social crises.

How the story developed

The apostolic journey began on September 26, with Pope Leo XIV delivering addresses at the Élysée Palace and UNESCO headquarters in Paris. During his welcoming remarks, French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the pontiff's call for international regulation of artificial intelligence.

At UNESCO, the Pope issued a warning that artificial intelligence risks undermining human dignity if it is left unchecked. He stated that a "paradise of machines" could undermine humanity without strict ethical boundaries, positioning the Vatican as a moral voice in the debate over technological oversight.

Adult baptisms in France have tripled over the last decade, reaching 13,000 this year.From: Pope Leo XIV Draws 800,000 to Mass on Paris' Champs-Élysées in Historic Visit ·

On September 27, the Pope celebrated an open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. The event drew an estimated 800,000 attendees, vastly exceeding the 600,000 advance registrations. To accommodate the crowd, authorities established a 1.4-mile security zone and deployed 14,500 police officers.

During the Mass, Pope Leo XIV urged the attendees not to keep their faith private, emphasizing that material wealth cannot satisfy spiritual thirst. The gathering occurred against the backdrop of France's strict secularism, though the Catholic Institute of Paris noted that adult baptisms have tripled since 2016. The broader itinerary also included a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Marian shrine at Lourdes.

The Pope delivered his remarks on assisted dying at a French shrine famous for its history of miraculous cures.From: Pope Leo XIV Condemns 'Illusion of Rearmament' and Assisted Dying as France Visit Concludes ·

What to watch

  • Proposed right-to-die legislation remains pending.

Charts, maps and images

French lawmakers are currently debating the assisted dying legislation that drew the Vatican's sharpest critiques.From: Pope Leo XIV Condemns 'Illusion of Rearmament' and Assisted Dying as France Visit Concludes ·
Hundreds of thousands of attendees filled the Place de la Concorde, a site historically associated with the French Revolution.From: Pope Leo XIV Draws 800,000 to Mass on Paris' Champs-Élysées in Historic Visit ·
During his homily, Pope Leo urged the faithful to let their beliefs 'overflow' into the broader society.From: Pope Leo XIV Draws 800,000 to Mass on Paris' Champs-Élysées in Historic Visit ·
Thousands of onlookers lined the streets of Paris to welcome the papal motorcade.From: Pope Leo XIV Warns Against 'Paradise of Machines' in UNESCO Address, Demands AI Remain at Service of Humanity ·
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the pontiff at the Élysée Palace, echoing calls for international AI regulation.From: Pope Leo XIV Warns Against 'Paradise of Machines' in UNESCO Address, Demands AI Remain at Service of Humanity ·

Timeline

September 2026

  1. Pope Leo XIV Condemns 'Illusion of Rearmament' and Assisted Dying as France Visit Concludes
  2. Pope Leo XIV Draws 800,000 to Mass on Paris' Champs-Élysées in Historic Visit
  3. Pope Leo XIV Warns Against 'Paradise of Machines' in UNESCO Address, Demands AI Remain at Service of Humanity