Paris – Pope Leo began a four‑day pilgrimage across France on Friday, marking the first papal visit to the country in nearly two decades. The itinerary includes an outdoor Mass on the Avenue des Champs‑Élysées, a prayer service at the restored Notre‑Dame cathedral, a meeting with abuse survivors in Lourdes, and a concluding speech in Metz on European peace and unity.
Mass and Meetings Draw Massive Interest
More than 600,000 people have registered to attend the outdoor Mass scheduled for Saturday, according to retired Bishop Marc Stenger. “French Catholics are saying loudly that they need the Church to find its way in these uncertain moments in world history,” Stenger said, underscoring the deep desire for spiritual renewal.
During the visit, Pope Leo will meet seven survivors of clerical abuse in Lourdes. The Vatican has not released details of the meeting, but the pope’s willingness to dialogue directly with victims signals a continued commitment to accountability after a 2021 report revealed that roughly 330,000 French children suffered abuse by clergy and lay leaders over seven decades.
AI Ethics on the UNESCO Agenda
At UNESCO, Pope Leo is expected to reiterate his May‑issued manifesto calling for an international slowdown of artificial‑intelligence development. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pontiff will speak about “the meaning of existence, what makes human beings human, and what does not.” The pope’s remarks come as the United Nations agency grapples with budget shortfalls following President Donald Trump’s 2025 decision to withdraw U.S. funding.
Historical and Cultural Highlights
Beyond Paris, the pope will travel to the famed pilgrimage site of Lourdes, where he will engage in a dialogue that includes survivors of abuse from diverse backgrounds. The sanctuary’s mosaics, created by Rev. Marko Rupnik—currently under canonical trial for sexual‑abuse allegations—have been covered for the visit, reflecting the Church’s effort to address past wrongs while honoring its artistic heritage.
The tour concludes in Metz, a city near the German border known for its role in the founding of the European Union. Cardinal Jean‑Claude Hollerich, a Luxembourg archbishop, said Leo will call on European leaders to be “tireless makers and builders of peace.” French President Emmanuel Macron has invited leaders from all 27 EU member states, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may also attend, according to media reports.
Faith, Family, and the Future
For many French families, the pope’s visit represents a chance to restore confidence in a faith tradition that has been deeply wounded by abuse scandals. The Church’s recent introduction of compensation schemes and safeguarding measures has been welcomed, yet survivors continue to press for full accountability.
By addressing both the spiritual needs of the faithful and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies, Pope Leo seeks to guide the Catholic community toward a future rooted in faith, family, and responsible stewardship of humanity.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
