France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwide

Loading the video No Comment Video. France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwide Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 25/09/2026 - 12:20 GMT+2 Pope Leo XIV begins historic four-day visit to France with focus on Europe’s future. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Pope on his arrival at around 10am, before military honours and introductions to French and Vatican officials. The two then made their way to the Élysée Palace for talks. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The four-day visit, running from Friday to Monday, will take the Pope to Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes and Metz. His programme includes meetings with Macron, French officials, civil-society representatives and diplomats, as well as a visit to UNESCO and meetings with young Catholics. The agenda is expected to include the future of Europe, social issues and the role of technology, including artificial intelligence, although the published programme does not explicitly list AI as a formal agenda item. Church bells rang across France for seven minutes to mark the Pope’s arrival, including at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and churches in cities such as Lourdes, Marseille, Lyon and Orléans. Leo XIV’s visit is the first official papal state visit to France since Pope Benedict XVI travelled there in September 2008. On Friday evening, Leo XIV is due to attend a prayer vigil with young people aged between 17 and 35 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Organisers expect around 80,000 participants. His itinerary will then continue with a mass in Paris, followed by visits to Lourdes and Metz, where he is scheduled to address the theme “At the roots of Europe for peace and unity”. Pope Leo XIV Paris France Emmanuel Macron Notre Dame Cathedral Top stories Now playing Next France welcomes Leo XIV at Orly Airport as bells sound nationwide Now playing Next Austria: Yodelling tradition goes underground in Graz Now playing Next Bikes removed, streets taped off as Paris welcomes Pope Leo XIV Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | September 25th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Netanyahu delivers fiery, defiant speech at UN General Assembly Now playing Next Saudis report fresh Houthi attacks as France offers military support Now playing Next Toasts, handshakes and smiles: Moments from Xi’s White House state dinner Now playing Next EU will condemn war at G20 summit 'irrespective' of Putin's attendance Now playing Next Trump tells countries to quit ICC, EU defence chief speaks to Euronews Now playing Next Trump and Xi vow cooperation amid 'healthy competition' Now playing Next Ok computer: Would you call a sculpture created by an AI robot art? Now playing Next EU says US diesel export plan is 'bad idea' Now playing Next Rising fuel costs squeeze rural businesses in France Now playing Next Greenland has ‘enough minerals’ to attract all interested investors, Danish minister says Now playing Next Old video of Greek protests shared with claims country is 'paralysed' Now playing Next How AI and robots provide companionship for people with Alzheimer’s ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Protests and walkout as Netanyahu addresses the UN No Comment West Bank herders use donkeys and trenches to move milk at night No Comment Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc returns to San Francisco after 17 years No Comment Video shows UK fighter jet crashing during training Europe Today Xi-Trump meeting was about 'managing rivalry', expert says Europe in Motion Green electricity: Is Europe's renewable energy boom slowing down? Europe Today Europe Today: Trump's state dinner for Xi Jinping, Pope Leo's first visit to France Europe News Macron denies CIA warned France of Russian drone attack USA Trump and Xi vow cooperation amid 'healthy competition' at the White House USA Uzbekistan highlights Central Asia cooperation at UN General Assembly Business Series How new rules could reshape this country’s digital economy Culture news Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and Oasis memorabilia up for auction in London ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Long queues as France’s €1 student meals draw crowds Economy Europe misses out on €120 billion in investment a year, report finds Art The Sound of Music: Austrian museum pays tribute to Von Trapp family and Hollywood musical Art Milan exhibition explores the enduring bond between Salvador Dalí and fashion No Comment People battle huge waves to save boat in Acapulco during Hurricane Polo Europe News EU vows to condemn Russia at G20 summit, regardless of Putin's attendance Denmark How are Danes reacting to the US-Greenland security deal? Europe News At least eight killed in wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine as attacks intensify ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT