Pope Léon XIV visited the French town of Lourdes, a site of pilgrimage associated with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a young girl named Bernadette in the 19th century. During his visit, he addressed various groups, including bishops, the sick, and pilgrims, and celebrated a mass attended by more than 150,000 people. He also took part in a Marian procession that lit up the town at nightfall, continuing a long-standing tradition that has drawn pilgrims for over 150 years. The pope met with bishops in the Sainte-Bernadette hemicycle, a circular space named after Bernadette, and later greeted each of them individually before a traditional family photo. He then traveled to a field in a papamobile, a vehicle used by popes for public appearances, where he was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Léon XIV addressed the issue of sexual violence within the Church, meeting with seven victims for nearly two hours before visiting the sick and hospital staff. During a mass for the sick, he made a strong statement on the topic of assisted dying, saying, "You are not a burden, you are the beating heart of our humanity. No human law should make you lose the certainty of your dignity." He also emphasized that "what is legal is not necessarily moral," a remark that resonated with ongoing discussions in France about end-of-life care. The pope's visit brought pilgrims from all over the world, and his messages of faith and hope were widely appreciated. One pilgrim noted that Léon XIV is "a pope who is not afraid of the truth" and that his message to young people, calling them "saints of France," reinforces the country's Christian heritage. At nightfall, the pope joined the Marian torch procession, a tradition that has drawn pilgrims for over a century. Thousands of torches were raised toward the sky in honor of Mary, guiding the faithful toward the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Léon XIV's visit to Lourdes was followed by a stop in Metz, where his schedule was carefully planned. He tailored his messages for each audience, using his voice to highlight important themes and consistently affirming his faith without compromising its core principles.