Pope Leo to visit France amid church abuse crisis

Pope Leo is scheduled to arrive in France on Friday for a four-day, three-city tour, marking the first formal papal visit to the country in nearly two decades. The trip comes as the Catholic Church seeks to address the impact of a 2021 report that detailed widespread child abuse by priests, a revelation that caused significant public distress across France. During his visit, the Pope is expected to meet with survivors of abuse.

The visit has generated substantial public interest, with approximately 600,000 people registered to attend an outdoor Mass scheduled for Saturday near the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Retired Bishop Marc Stenger noted that the high registration numbers reflect a desire among French Catholics to find guidance from the Church during a period of global uncertainty.

The Pope’s itinerary includes a series of high-level engagements, including a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. Additionally, the Pope is set to address staff at the headquarters of UNESCO. The organization is currently navigating financial challenges following the withdrawal of the United States in 2025.

The visit occurs against a backdrop of broader geopolitical tensions. Earlier this year, the Pope, who is the first American to hold the papacy, faced criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump following papal remarks regarding the war in Iran. The Pope has also recently focused on international issues, including the release of a manifesto in May that addressed the risks associated with artificial intelligence.