Pope Leo, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, could journey to France in late September, French bishops said Wednesday, on what would likely be a state visit.<\/p>\n
His predecessor, the late pope Francis, travelled to France several times but never visited Paris on an official trip.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo’s visit “could take place at the end of September”, the Bishops’ Conference of France (CEF) said.<\/p>\n
“Under the proposed schedule, Pope Leo XIV could travel to Paris and Lourdes,” it said, referring to one of the main Catholic pilgrimage sites.<\/p>\n
CEF President Jean-Marc Aveline issued an invitation, and President Emmanuel Macron during his meeting with Pope Leo in Rome last month endorsed it, the CEF said.<\/p>\n
The Vatican has yet to confirm any visit.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo last month wrapped up a trip to Africa, and is due to visit Spain from June 6 to 12.<\/p>\n
The late pope Francis made three trips to France during his 12 years in the post before he died last year, aged 88.<\/p>\n
He travelled to Strasbourg in 2014, followed by visits to Marseille in 2023 and Corsica in 2024.<\/p>\n
But he never made a state visit to France, insisting instead that his trips were focused on visiting European institutions, among other missions.<\/p>\n
He declined Macron’s invitation to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2024, five years after a devastating fire.<\/p>\n
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