Pope Leo will visit France this weekend, the first papal state visit to the country in 18 years, beginning with Paris today.
Pope Leo XIV boarding a plane from Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy. Photograph: Vatican Media Handout/EPADuring the visit, Leo is expected to seek to repair the Catholic Church’s standing after abuse scandals in the country, as well as deliver a landmark speech on AI development at Unesco and talk about Europe’s future in Metz, with some other European leaders expected to attend.
He will visit the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, as well as the famed Catholic shrine in Lourdes, among other places.
The Pope’s plane is now in French airspace and expected to land at Paris Orly airport in the next half hour.
I will keep an eye on his trip and keep you up to date.
Elsewhere, I will bring you all the updates from Ukraine and across the continent.
It’s Friday, 25 September 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
