Paris – Pope Leo XIV will arrive in the French town of Lourdes this weekend as part of a four‑day apostolic journey, marking the first official papal state visit to France in 18 years. The Pope’s itinerary includes a prayer at the Grotto of Apparitions, a Mass on the prairie, and meetings with French bishops and survivors of sexual abuse.
Why Lourdes Matters to the Faithful
Lourdes, located near the Spanish border, is one of Catholicism’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Its fame stems from the 1858 visions reported by Bernadette Soubirous, a modest, uneducated girl who claimed to have seen a lady in white 18 times in the Grotto of Massabielle. The Catholic Church later recognized these apparitions as genuine, and the spring water discovered there has become a symbol of hope for the sick and disabled.
Each year, roughly three million pilgrims travel to Lourdes, including about 60,000 who are ill or disabled. The town’s sanctuary complex houses three basilicas—the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, and the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X—along with numerous chapels, baths, and a Stations of the Cross path.
Economic Impact of the Papal Visit
The Pope’s presence is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, sending local hotel rates soaring. Some establishments are already listing rooms at more than 2,000 euros (about $2,300) per night. With fewer than 15,000 residents, Lourdes relies heavily on pilgrimage tourism; the town boasts nearly 10,000 hotel rooms and over 21,200 beds, the second‑largest hotel capacity in France after Paris.
Most pilgrims historically come from France—about 42 %—but the post‑Cold‑War era has seen a surge of visitors from Central and Eastern Europe. Poland currently ranks sixth among the 160+ nations sending pilgrims each year.
Addressing Abuse Scandals
During his stay, Pope Leo XIV will meet seven survivors of sexual abuse, a step the Bishops’ Conference of France says underscores the Church’s commitment to healing. A 2021 report estimated that 330,000 children were abused by clergy in France over the past 70 years.
In addition, the mosaics by Rev. Marko Ivan Rupnik—an ex‑Jesuit artist accused of sexual abuse—will remain covered throughout the Pope’s visit, following a decision made by Bishop Jean‑Marc Micas in 2025.
What Visitors Can Expect
After landing at Tarbes airport on Saturday, the Pope will begin with a prayer at the Grotto of Apparitions. Sunday’s schedule includes a meeting with French bishops, a Mass on the prairie, the Angelus prayer, and a visit to the Accueil Notre‑Dame staff and sick pilgrims. The visit will conclude with the traditional Rosary and torch‑light procession through the sanctuary.
For those planning to attend, the sanctuary’s spring water remains free at taps and fountains, and many pilgrims take bottles home as a personal blessing.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
