Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on the first official papal visit to the country in roughly 18 years, according to Al Jazeera English, France 24 and Deutsche Welle. Large crowds gathered in Paris to greet him, as reported by Sky News and BBC News.
The pope led prayers at Notre Dame Cathedral, in a ceremony that included the display and veneration of Jesus' crown of thorns, according to Breitbart. France 24 reported that Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to celebrate an open-air mass for some 600,000 believers at Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées.
The visit included a meeting between Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the two offered differing views, according to Euronews. The Financial Times reported that the pope made a rare address at France's Élysée Palace.
NBC News reported that Pope Leo XIV arrived with a message of peace and human dignity. The Washington Post described the visit as taking place amid a reported surge of religious converts in France, a country it characterized as having a flagging faith.
How each side covered it
Left
- Al Jazeera and AP highlighted the huge crowds greeting Pope Leo XIV on his first papal visit to France in nearly 20 years.
- The Washington Post framed the trip against a backdrop of secular France experiencing a surge of religious converts amid a broader decline in faith.
- The New York Times portrayed Leo XIV as attempting to appeal broadly to all Catholics while touring a largely secular nation.
- NBC News emphasized the pope's message of peace and human dignity delivered upon his arrival in France.
“Pope Leo visits secular France as surge of converts jolts a flagging faith” — The Washington Post
Center
- France 24 and BBC News focused on the pope's public reception, noting large crowds and his outreach to migrants and marginalized people.
- Deutsche Welle and Sky News covered the historic nature of the visit, the first in 18 years, and scenes of crowds near Notre Dame.
- Euronews reported that Macron and Pope Leo XIV expressed differing views during their first meeting in France.
- The Financial Times noted the pope's rare address at the Élysée Palace as a notable diplomatic moment.
“Macron, Pope Leo XIV offer clashing views in first meeting in France” — Euronews
Right
- Breitbart emphasized the thousands of Catholics who turned out to see Pope Leo during his visit.
- Fox News highlighted the pope's planned visit to a French city known for reported medical miracles.
- The Times framed the visit as a test of faith for France, describing the pope's reception as a 'superstar welcome.'
“Pope Leo XIV Kisses Jesus' Crown of Thorns in Renovated Notre Dame” — Breitbart
Questions readers ask
What happened during Pope Leo XIV's visit to France?
Pope Leo XIV made the first official papal visit to France in nearly 18 years, drawing large crowds in Paris, leading prayers at Notre Dame Cathedral, and meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, according to multiple outlets.
Why is this visit significant?
It marks the first papal visit to France in about 18 years and comes amid what The Washington Post described as a surge of religious converts in a country it characterized as having a flagging faith.
Did Pope Leo XIV and Macron agree on everything?
No. Euronews reported that Pope Leo XIV and President Emmanuel Macron offered clashing views during their first meeting in France, though the specific points of disagreement were not detailed in the supplied material.
What events took place at Notre Dame Cathedral?
According to Breitbart, Pope Leo XIV led prayers at Notre Dame Cathedral in a ceremony that included the display and veneration of Jesus' crown of thorns.
What did outlets across the political spectrum focus on?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the pope's message and France's secular, changing religious landscape; center outlets focused on the crowds, logistics of the mass, and the Macron meeting; right-leaning outlets highlighted the Notre Dame ceremony and reception Pope Leo XIV received.
Sources · 19 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningPope Leo XIV makes first official Papal visit in France in nearly 20
- Associated PressLeft-leaningPope Leo XIV visits France, in photos
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningPope Leo XIV arrives in France with a message of peace and human dignity
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningLeo XIV, Trying to Be Everyone’s Pope, Tours Secular France
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningPope Leo visits secular France as surge of converts jolts a flagging faith
- BBC NewsCenterThousands turn out to greet Pope in France
- Deutsche WelleCenter'Pope fever' takes hold as Pope Leo visits France
- EuronewsCenterMacron, Pope Leo XIV offer clashing views in first meeting in France
- Financial TimesCenterPope makes rare address at France’s Élysée Palace
- France 24CenterFrance: Pope Leo XIV welcomed by Macron at the Élysée
- Politico EuropeCenterPope Leo calls for dialogue as France’s populist forces eye power
- ReutersCenterPope Leo set for largest event of France tour as Paris crowds swell
- Sky NewsCenterWatch: Crowds line streets of Paris as Pope visits Notre Dame
- The Straits TimesCenterPope Leo set for largest event of France tour as Paris crowds swell
- UPICenterPope Leo lands in France, gives speech on AI at Elysee Palace
- BreitbartRight-leaningWatch: Pope Leo XIV Kisses Jesus' Crown of Thorns in Renovated Notre Dame
- Fox NewsRight-leaningPope Leo XIV begins historic 4-day visit to France
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningPope Leo XIV arrives in France for UNESCO address on AI and peace
- The TimesRight-leaningTest of faith for France as Pope Leo gets a superstar welcome