Pope Leo to Visit France, Holds Masses in Paris and Lourdes

Pope Leo’s forthcoming visit to France has captured national attention, with a Friday evening mass at Notre Dame Cathedral and a large gathering of 600,000 faithful in Paris. The itinerary also includes a pilgrimage to Lourdes and a stop in Metz, the hometown of Robert Schuman, father of European unity. The papal trip is typical of the complex relationship between the Church and France’s largely secular, mostly‑lapsed Catholic population.

The visit has sparked some criticism over the cost to taxpayers, yet the overall reaction has been relatively muted. Despite the financial concerns, the new American pope appears to enjoy genuine popularity in France, a fact that has prompted questions about the reasons behind his favorable reception.

The title of the report notes that the pope will press a case for “disarming” AI, though no additional details are provided in the article.