Skip to content

Pope Leo XIV to visit France in September, including a stop at UNESCO headquarters

Pope Leo XIV speaks aboard the papal plane from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Rome, following an 11-day trip in Africa, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News.
Pope Leo XIV speaks aboard the papal plane from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Rome, following an 11-day trip in Africa, April 23, 2026. | Credit: Patrick Leonard/EWTN News.

The visit will mark the popeʼs fifth international apostolic journey.

Pope Leo XIV will undertake an apostolic journey to France from Sept. 25 – 28, a visit which will include a stop at the headquarters of UNESCO.

The trip was officially announced on May 16 by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. The Holy See did not immediately release the full itinerary of the trip.

The visit will mark the popeʼs fifth international apostolic journey.

The pope has already visited Turkey and Lebanon (in late 2025) and Monte Carlo (in March 2026).

In April he undertook a major voyage to Africa — with the trip spanning Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea — and is scheduled to visit Spain from June 6 – 12.

He is widely expected to also visit Latin America in the fall.

The last visit by a pope to France dates to Dec. 15, 2024, when Pope Francis traveled to Ajaccio, Corsica.

This story was originally published by ACI Stampa, EWTN News’ Italian-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp

Marco Mancini

Journalist based in Rome. He worked for 'Area' Press Agency, dealing with internal politics, economics but above all with the Vatican. Accredited at the Press Office of the Holy See, professional journalist since 2008, he followed the conclaves of 2005 and 2013. Currently works for ACI Stampa, EWTN News agency in Italian. He is the author, together with his colleague Andrea Gagliarducci, of "La Quaresima della Chiesa", and "Benedetto XVI, a total Pope".

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Catholic Church’s new bishops complete formation in Rome

Every September, the new bishops of the Catholic Church gather in Rome to participate in a formation course, an initiative that, since its inception in 1994, has become a genuine tradition.

Pope Francis stresses need to put Jesus at the center of our lives

Pope Francis drew upon the example of St. Charles de Foucauld during his general audience Wednesday in his ongoing catechesis on apostolic zeal to stress the importance of centering our lives on Jesus.

5 ways St. John Paul II changed the Catholic Church forever

You probably know that St. John Paul II was the second-longest-serving pope in modern history with 27 years

Easter in the Trenches

Exclusive interview with the Head of the Greek Catholic Church 
‘The Transfiguration’ by Raphael (photo: Public domain)

What the Transfiguration Teaches Us About Life

All the climbing has paid off: The Lord gives them a glimpse of glory — the life that

Pope Francis shares meal with the poor

Pope Francis had lunch with around 1,300 poor from Rome on Sunday. The meal was part of several Vatican-sponsored

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com