Pope Leo XIV prepares for France visit amid secular legal shifts

The short version

• Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25-28, addressing Catholic teachings on life issues as well as artificial intelligence at UNESCO.[France 24 · ABC News]
• The trip takes place following France's constitutional protection of abortion rights in 2024 and recent legislation allowing assisted dying for incurably ill adults.[France 24 · ABC News]
• The Vatican announced the pope will meet with clergy sexual abuse victims during the four-day visit, as French bishops project approximately 1 million attendees.[France 24 · ABC News]

Key facts

• Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France from September 25-28.[France 24 · ABC News]
• France enshrined abortion in its constitution in 2024 and cleared a measure approving assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses.[France 24 · ABC News]
• French bishops estimate that around 1 million attendees will turn out to see Pope Leo XIV during the four-day trip.[France 24 · ABC News]
• The Vatican disclosed ahead of the visit that Pope Leo XIV will meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse.[France 24 · ABC News]
• A 2021 independent report estimated 330,000 minors suffered abuse over 70 years by an estimated 3,000 priests and church personnel in France.[France 24 · ABC News]
• On the opening day of the journey, the pope is scheduled to address UNESCO regarding artificial intelligence, education, and art.[France 24 · ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Pope Leo XIV in France to find secular country at odds with Catholic teaching on lifeABC News - International
• Pope Leo to visit a secular France at odds with Catholic views on abortion, euthanasiaFrance 24
• Pope Leo XIV will meet with the French abuse survivors as critics demand actionABC News - International
• How France handles its strict secularism as it prepares for a papal visitABC News - International
• Pope Leo XIV to trace back French ancestry, spiritual roots on visit to FranceFrance 24
• Holy regulation? Pope in Paris to press case for 'disarming' AIFrance 24
• 'Pope fever' takes hold as Pope Leo visits FranceDeutsche Welle
• Schism with rebel Catholic sect casts a pall over Pope Leo’s visit to FranceFrance 24
• Hundreds of thousands expected in Paris for Pope's visitBBC News - Top Stories
• Live: Pope heads to France on first state visit in 18 yearsFrance 24
• Pope heads to secular France with an appeal to respect the dignity of every human lifeABC News - International
• Pope Leo heads to France amid assisted dying, abuse debatesAl Jazeera
• Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France: What you need to knowFrance 24
• Pope Leo XIV begins historic 4-day visit to FranceFox News
• Pope Leo XIV begins four-day pilgrimage to FranceDeutsche Welle
• Pope Leo XIV criticizes AI, assisted dying on France arrivalDeutsche Welle
• Pope Leo warns a 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanity on his France visitNPR - World
• Pope opens France trip with warning that a 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanityPBS NewsHour - World
• Pope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visitThe Guardian - World
• Pope Leo XIV warns AI could undermine humanity during France visitAl Jazeera
• Pope warns a 'paradise of machines' could undermine humanity as he opens France tripNPR - Top News
• Pope encourages Catholics in deeply secular France to persevere as Paris shuts down for huge MassABC News - International
• Paris: Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass before huge crowdDeutsche Welle
• Huge crowds greet Pope in Paris for open-air MassBBC News - World
• Pope Leo attracts 700,000 worshipers to Paris Mass in historic France visitCBS News - World
• Pope Leo celebrates open-air mass before 700,000 people in ParisThe Guardian - World
• Several hundred thousand people gather for Pope Leo’s mass in ParisAl Jazeera
• 'A once-in-a-lifetime event': Faithful and curious flock to Pope Leo XIV's Mass in ParisFrance 24
• Pope Leo draws 800,000 people to central Paris for open-air Mass on iconic squarePBS NewsHour - World
• Lourdes: What to know about one of Catholicism’s most famous pilgrimage sitesABC News - International
• Pope Leo XIV celebrates open-air Mass in front of 800,000 people in central ParisFrance 24
• Pope Leo draws staggering 800,000 faithful to heart of Paris for massive outdoor MassFox News
• Pope Leo XIV visits Lourdes after Paris mass to meet clergy sexual abuse victimsFrance 24
• Pope brings message to protect life to French shrine at Lourdes known for miraculous curesABC News - International
• 'Scourge' of abuse must be rooted out, says Pope, during Lourdes visitBBC News - World
• Pope decries 'scourge' of sexual abuse during France visitDeutsche Welle
• Pope Leo urges healing of ‘deep wounds’ before meeting child sexual abuse survivors in FranceThe Guardian - World
• Pope Leo criticizes legalization of assisted dying as "false compassion"CBS News - World
• Pope blasts assisted dying as 'false compassion' at French shrine known for miraculous curesPBS NewsHour - World
• Pope pledges action on clergy child abuse in meeting with French survivorsAl Jazeera
• Pope Leo to speak on EU integration from French border town of MetzFrance 24
• Leo the moderate? Pope in France defends EU valuesFrance 24
• Pope Leo wraps up France trip by urging Europe to blunt 'desire for domination' driving today's warsPBS NewsHour - World