The President of the Republic welcomed His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Élysée Palace on Friday 25 September 2026, as part of his apostolic visit to France.
This visit follows the first meeting between the Head of State and Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican last April.
It forms part of the traditional relations between France and the Holy See, and bears witness to the depth of a dialogue based on shared values and commitments.
Watch the welcome at the airport:
The President of the Republic and Mrs Brigitte Macron then welcomed the Holy Father to the Élysée Palace.
Watch the welcome again:
The discussions between the President of the Republic and the Holy Father provided an opportunity to address key aspects of bilateral relations, as well as the major global challenges to which France and the Holy See are jointly committed, foremost among which are climate change and artificial intelligence.
On this occasion, they also discussed major international issues, including the war in Ukraine, peace and stability in the Middle East, and partnerships with Africa, based on a shared commitment to working for peace and dialogue.
