Pope Leo XIV is visiting France from Sept. 25–28 and elebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Friday evening, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt.
Pope Leo XIV is visiting three cities in France from Sept. 25–28, making stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz to meet with young people, government officials, the sick, and migrants, among others.
On Sept. 25, he celebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt after the devastating 2019 fire.
Paris gives Pope Leo XIV a joyful welcome as thousands lined the streets for his first popemobile ride through the French capital on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican MediaCrowds assemble outside the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral for Pope Leo XIV's visit on Sept. 25, 2026, seven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the cathedral.| Credit: Vatican MediaThousands gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina with Pope Leo XIV before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishop's palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down. | Credit: Vatican MediaUpon entering the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the pope visits a chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 25, 2026, and then venerated a relic of the Crown of Thorns. | Credit: Vatican MediaSeven years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral, Pope Leo XIV enters the restored cathedral Sept. 25, 2026 and celebrates Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN NewsWorshipers pray at Notre-Dame Cathedral where Pope Leo XIV visited Sept. 25, 2026 to celebrate Vespers in the first papal visit since the 2019 blaze.| Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV delivers a homily during a celebration of Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV visits Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 for a celebration of Vespers. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV greets sisters in Notre-Dame Cathedral on Sept. 25, 2026. | Credit: Vatican MediaPope Leo XIV waves at thousands of people gathered outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina. | Credit: Vatican Media
The prayer service at the famous Gothic cathedral was Pope Leo's first meeting with the Catholic Church of Paris during his Sept. 25-28 visit to France.
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