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PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV visits France’s restored Notre-Dame Cathedral

Pope Leo XIV stands outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishop's palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV stands outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishop's palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV is visiting France from Sept. 25–28 and celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Friday evening, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt.

Pope Leo XIV is visiting three cities in France from Sept. 25–28, making stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz to meet with young people, government officials, the sick, and migrants, among others.

On Sept. 25, he celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt after the devastating 2019 fire.

Vespers in Notre Dame Cathedral with Pope Leo
Paris gives Pope Leo XIV a joyful welcome as thousands lined the streets for his first popemobile ride through the French capital on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Paris gives Pope Leo XIV a joyful welcome as thousands lined the streets for his first popemobile ride through the French capital on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds assemble outside the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral for Pope Leo XIVʼs visit on Sept. 25, 2026, seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the cathedral.| Credit: Vatican Media
Crowds assemble outside the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral for Pope Leo XIVʼs visit on Sept. 25, 2026, seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the cathedral.| Credit: Vatican Media
Thousands gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina with Pope Leo XIV before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishopʼs palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican Media
Thousands gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina with Pope Leo XIV before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishopʼs palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican Media
Upon entering the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the pope visits a chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 25, 2026, and then venerated a relic of the Crown of Thorns. | Credit: Vatican Media
Upon entering the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the pope visits a chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 25, 2026, and then venerated a relic of the Crown of Thorns. | Credit: Vatican Media
Seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pope Leo XIV enters the restored cathedral Sept. 25, 2026 and celebrates Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pope Leo XIV enters the restored cathedral Sept. 25, 2026 and celebrates Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News
Worshipers pray at Notre-Dame Cathedral where Pope Leo XIV visited Sept. 25, 2026 to celebrate Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Vatican Media
Worshipers pray at Notre-Dame Cathedral where Pope Leo XIV visited Sept. 25, 2026 to celebrate Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV delivers a homily during a celebration of Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV delivers a homily during a celebration of Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV visits Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 for a celebration of Vespers. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV visits Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 for a celebration of Vespers. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets sisters in Notre-Dame Cathedral on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets sisters in Notre-Dame Cathedral on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves at thousands of people gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina. | Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV waves at thousands of people gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina. | Credit: Vatican Media

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This article was originally published by EWTN News English.

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