This Friday, 25 September 2026, marks a major event for Catholics in France: Pope Leo XIV arrives in France today for a four-day apostolic visit that will take him to Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
A visit eagerly awaited by the faithful, many of whom will gather to welcome the Holy Father, pray with him and experience these exceptional days in the communion of the Church.
But for pilgrims and all those who hold a special affection for Our Lady of Lourdes, the emotion will be even stronger: tomorrow evening, Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Lourdes and make his way to the Grotto of Massabielle to pray before the Virgin Mary.
Pope Leo XIV arrives in France today
The apostolic journey begins this Friday, 25 September, in Paris.
After departing from Rome, the Holy Father is due to arrive at Paris-Orly Airport in the morning. This first day will feature, in particular, his meeting with the French authorities, a visit to UNESCO headquarters, followed by a deeply spiritual moment at Notre-Dame de Paris, where he will celebrate Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and seminarians.
The day will conclude with a major gathering with young people: a prayer vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Through these various encounters, this visit is both a significant event for the Church in France and an invitation to each and every one of us to renew our faith, our hope and our desire for fraternity.
Tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV will set off for Lourdes
After another day in Paris on Saturday 26 September, during which he is due to celebrate Mass at the Place de la Concorde, the Pope will leave Paris in the late afternoon to travel to Lourdes.
He is due to arrive at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport at 7.05 pm.
A few minutes later, the Holy Father will proceed to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
At 7.40 pm, a much-anticipated moment will take place: Pope Leo XIV will pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions in Massabielle.
A simple gesture, yet one imbued with immense spiritual power.
The Pope at the Grotto of Massabielle
It was here, in 1858, that the young Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have encountered a ‘Lady’ on several occasions, who finally revealed her name to her:
‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
Since then, millions of pilgrims from all over the world have come to pay their respects at this Grotto.
Some come seeking healing, others to entrust their suffering, to give thanks for a grace received, or simply to find peace in prayer.
Tomorrow evening, the Successor of Peter will also take his place before this Grotto.
Like so many pilgrims before him, Pope Leo XIV will come to pay his respects before Our Lady of Lourdes.
This image will have a special significance: that of the shepherd of the universal Church coming to lay his prayer at the feet of Mary.
We can join in this prayer, even from a distance, and entrust to Our Lady our families, our sick, our concerns, our intentions and all those in need of comfort.
An exceptional day in Lourdes on Sunday 27 September
Sunday will be devoted entirely to Lourdes.
In the morning, the Holy Father will meet the bishops of the French Bishops’ Conference before celebrating, at 11.00 am, a solemn Mass on the Meadow of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
In the afternoon, he will meet with the sick and those accompanying them at the Accueil Notre-Dame.
This meeting holds a very special significance in Lourdes.
Ever since the first apparitions, the Sanctuary has indeed been closely linked to the sick, the vulnerable and all those facing trials. Every year, hospital staff and volunteers accompany thousands of pilgrims who come to seek strength, consolation and hope from Mary.
The day will conclude with one of Lourdes’ most iconic moments: the Rosary and the torchlight procession, scheduled for 9.00 pm.
Thousands of lights will then rise into the night sky whilst the pilgrims pray together to the Virgin Mary.
Lourdes, a message of hope for the world
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lourdes goes far beyond that of a mere visit.
Lourdes is a place where faith and suffering, fragility and hope come together every day.
People sometimes come here with questions to which no human answer seems sufficient. They bring with them an illness, a bereavement, concern for a child, family difficulties or simply the need to reconnect with God.
And at the heart of this Sanctuary lies the message conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Saint Bernadette: prayer, conversion, trust and hope.
The Holy Father’s presence in this Marian shrine, so dear to Catholics, is therefore a powerful symbol.
Let us join in the Holy Father’s prayer
We cannot all be present in Lourdes to welcome Pope Leo XIV.
But everyone can experience this event spiritually.
We can light a candle, say the Rosary, offer a prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes or simply take a few moments of silence to entrust our intentions to the Lord.
On the occasion of the Holy Father’s visit, we can pray in particular for the Church, families, children, the sick, those who are lonely or going through trials, but also for peace in the world.
? Prayer for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes,
you who chose the simplicity of Saint Bernadette
to remind the world of the power of prayer,
welcome our Holy Father,
Pope Leo XIV, into your presence.
Accompany him on his mission,
grant him the strength, wisdom and peace
necessary to guide the Church.
At the Grotto of Massabielle,
unite our prayers with his.
We entrust to you our families,
our children and our loved ones,
the sick and those who suffer,
those who are lonely and discouraged,
as well as all the intentions
we hold in the secret of our hearts.
Our Lady of Lourdes,
always lead us to your Son Jesus
and teach us to keep our trust,
even in the midst of trials.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Amen.
A historic moment to be lived out in prayer
These days of 25, 26 and 27 September 2026 will remain special dates for many Catholics in France.
Today, Pope Leo XIV arrives in France.
Tomorrow, he will be in Lourdes, in front of the Grotto of Massabielle.
And on Sunday, thousands of pilgrims will pray with him at the heart of the Sanctuary.
Whether we are present in Lourdes or following these events from afar, let us make the most of this visit to renew our trust in God and turn to the Virgin Mary.
Our Lady of Lourdes, watch over Pope Leo XIV, the Church and each one of us. ?
