Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for the Vatican’s first state visit to the country in 18 years, a four-day trip that will address artificial intelligence, youth engagement, and the Catholic Church’s role in an increasingly secular Europe. The 71-year-old pontiff, the first American to lead the Church, touched down outside Paris at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) to the sound of church bells ringing nationwide for seven minutes. President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, greeted the pope on the tarmac, marking the first official visit by a sitting pontiff since Benedict XVI traveled to France in September 2008.
The visit comes at a politically sensitive moment, just seven months before France holds a presidential election to succeed Macron, with the far right positioning strongly in the polls. Papal trips so close to major national votes are rare, underscoring the significance the Holy See places on engaging with Europe’s historically Catholic nations.
Key issues on the agenda
Several pressing matters are expected to shape the pontiff’s discussions during his stay:
- Clerical sexual abuse: The Vatican confirmed in August that Pope Leo XIV will meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse, a gesture aimed at addressing a crisis that has deeply damaged the Church’s credibility in France and globally.
- Ass
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