Itinerary confirmed for Pope Leo XIV’s trip to France: Paris, Lourdes, and Metz

Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will visit the French capital on Sept. 25 and 26 as part of his apostolic journey to France.

The prelate made the announcement via his official X account, noting also that the pontiffʼs presence would be “a source of comfort and encouragement for many.”

The confirmation coincides with an announcement from the French Bishops’ Conference, which stated via social media that the pope will participate in five major gatherings during the visit.

On Sept. 25, the pope will preside over vespers at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and take part in an evening event with young people; on the 26th, he will celebrate an open-air Mass in Paris; on the 27th, he will celebrate the Eucharist at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes; and on the 28th, he will preside over Mass at Metz Cathedral.

“We can now give free rein to our joy, as we are able to publicly confirm that Paris will welcome the Holy Father on Sept. 25 and 26 as part of his apostolic journey to France!” Ulrich wrote.

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The archbishop noted that the announcement follows several weeks of preparation in his archdiocese and highlighted the importance of the Holy Fatherʼs “pastoral and fatherly care” for French Catholics.

Ulrich expressed pride in the choice of Paris as one of the key stops on the journey: “We know that Paris is just one of the dioceses in France and that each particular Church reflects the face of Christ in its own way.”

He added that the Church in Paris must prepare itself and “work wholeheartedly to create the conditions for a true encounter that transcends our own boundaries.”

Encounters with young people and a large-scale Mass

As the archbishop explained, on Friday, Sept. 25 — prior to vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and seminarians from across France — the pope will have an encounter with the faithful.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the pope “will preside over an open-air Mass in the heart of Paris, to which I invite you to join — either by attending in person, if you are able, or through prayer,” Ulrich stated.

Call for volunteers and prayer

The archbishop noted that many logistical details are still being finalized, but he invited the faithful to get involved in organizing the visit.

He also asked for financial support to help welcome the many pilgrims expected to attend the events. Finally, he urged Catholics to support the preparations through prayer.

“Above all, I ask you to join in this preparation through prayer: prayer for the Holy Father … and prayer for all those … who will be involved in organizing this visit,” he wrote.

Ulrich concluded by asking for prayers for the Church in France, that it may remain “united behind the bishops in full communion with the successor of Peter” and preserve, “amid all the storms of our time, its faithful joy in the Lord’s Gospel.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/itinerary-confirmed-for-pope-leo-xiv-s-trip-to-france-paris-lourdes-and-metz