Pope Leo heads to France on Friday for the first formal visit to the country in nearly 20 years.
During the three-city tour, Leo will meet abuse survivors of a major child abuse scandal, celebrate an outdoor Mass near Paris’ Champs-Élysées and hold meetings with French, United Nations and European leaders.
About 600,000 people have registered for Saturday’s Mass. Retired French Bishop Marc Stenger described the level of interest as a “real tidal wave”, saying it reflected French Catholics’ desire for guidance during uncertain times.
In Paris, Leo will meet President Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders at the Élysée Palace and address staff at UNESCO, where he is expected to discuss artificial intelligence.
In May, the pope warned about the risks of AI and called for international regulation. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Leo was likely to renew his call for a slowdown in AI development and address questions about human identity.
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Leo will also lead a prayer service at the restored Notre-Dame cathedral, his first visit to the landmark since a fire nearly destroyed it in 2019.
The pope will then travel to Lourdes in southwestern France before concluding his visit in Metz, near the German border, where he is expected to speak on “the roots of Europe for peace and unity”.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich said Leo would urge European leaders to become “tireless makers and builders of peace”.
French Vatican Ambassador Charles Personnaz said Macron had invited leaders from all 27 European Union member states to the Metz event, although attendance could be affected by the UN General Assembly in New York.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may also attend, according to media reports.
