Pope Léon XIV began his first visit to France on Friday, September 25, arriving at Paris-Orly airport at 10 a.m. for a four-day trip that includes stops in Paris and Saint-Denis. The itinerary features a diplomatic reception at the Elysée Palace, the official residence of French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by a procession in the papamobile—a specially designed vehicle used by the pope—through the Montparnasse district. The visit marks a significant moment in the relationship between the Vatican and France, as the pope seeks to strengthen ties with the country's religious and political leaders. On the first day of the visit, the pope will travel in the papamobile from the Notre-Dame-des-Champs church to the steps of Notre-Dame Cathedral, where he will attend a vespers service reserved for the clergy starting at 5:15 p.m. This will be the first visit by a pope to the cathedral since its reopening in December 2024. The cathedral will be closed to the public from September 24 to 26 due to the event, highlighting the importance of the occasion for both the Catholic Church and the city of Paris. Later that evening, the pope will attend a vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The event is open to individuals aged 17 to 35 who have registered in advance. The evening will include a musical prologue with performances by Natasha Saint-Pier and Monroe, the French candidate for the Eurovision 2026. At 9 p.m., the pope will make a honor tour in the papamobile on the athletics track, followed by a time of exchange with the young people on contemporary issues. The evening will also include a more religious part, featuring prayer and the presentation of a relic, offering a blend of spiritual reflection and modern dialogue. The exchanges between Pope Léon XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron will be limited, with no one-on-one lunch meeting scheduled. The pope will visit the Elysée Palace and meet with the diplomatic corps and civil society representatives. However, he will have his meals at the apostolic nunciature, the official representation of the Holy See in Paris. This arrangement reflects the diplomatic protocols and the pope’s focus on maintaining a clear distinction between his religious mission and political engagements during the visit.