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Pope Leo XIV blessed a young man with disabilities during a Mass at Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Metz, France, on September 28, 2026, as part of his four-day apostolic journey to the country. His defense of life addressed some of Europe's most contentious social questions with a humble and measured manner, distinguishing his message from past 'culture wars.
Read →Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28, 2026, focused on defending the dignity of every human life, challenging French lawmakers on assisted dying, abortion, and surrogacy, and emphasizing that no human life is disposable. During his visit, he engaged with the sick and disabled in Lourdes, delivered a speech at UNESCO warning about the impact of AI on human dignity, and celebrated a Mass in Paris attended by over 800,000 people, including altar servers with Down syndrome, highlighting his global voice for the vulnerable. The pope's visit sparked renewed debate over France's assisted-dying legislation, with his strong defense of life receiving widespread attention, including from President Emmanuel Macron, who attended Mass with him despite political opposition; Pope Leo also condemned euthanasia and abortion as threats to human dignity and called for medicine to reject programmed death, reinforcing his role as a prominent advocate for the disabled, elderly, unborn, and vulnerable in society.
Read →Pope Leo XIV spoke at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on September 27, 2026, condemning assisted suicide and abortion of the disabled, emphasizing the sanctity of life and rejecting 'false compassion' that justifies causing death. During his visit, he encouraged the sick and disabled pilgrims, affirming their dignity and irreplaceable role in the Church, while also addressing the healthcare community to care for suffering persons rather than eliminate them.
Read →Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris on September 25, 2026, and urged French leaders at the Élysée Palace to protect every human life, condemning assisted dying, abortion, and surrogacy while emphasizing the importance of welcoming life unconditionally and supporting the vulnerable. During his four-day apostolic journey to France, the pope also highlighted the Catholic Church's historical role in caring for the poor and underprivileged, and planned visits including a Mass in Paris, a prayer vigil at Stade de France, and a trip to the Marian shrine of Lourdes.
Read →Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris on September 25, 2026, and urged French leaders at the Élysée Palace to protect every human life, condemning assisted dying, abortion, and surrogacy while emphasizing the importance of welcoming life unconditionally and supporting the vulnerable. During his four-day apostolic journey, the pope also highlighted France's deep Christian roots, addressed secularization challenges, and planned visits including a Mass with nearly 600,000 attendees and a prayer vigil for young people at Stade de France.
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