Macron to Skip Papal Masses During Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to France
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend any of the three Masses celebrated by Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff’s official visit to France from September 25 to 28, according to reports circulating this week.
The Pope is scheduled to celebrate Mass in Paris, at the shrine in Lourdes, and in Metz. Macron’s absence from these religious ceremonies comes after the Vatican declined several proposals put forward by the French side for the visit.
Among the requests rejected were a military parade intended to honor the Pope with full honors as a head of state, a shared meal with the French president and other dignitaries, and plans for Macron to accompany the Pope to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Instead, the official program focuses on diplomatic and institutional meetings. Macron is expected to greet Pope Leo XIV upon his arrival at the airport for a brief discussion before the two proceed to the Élysée Palace. There, the Pope will address senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of civil society organizations operating in France.
The leaders are also set to meet again toward the end of the visit in Metz, where Macron will host an event allowing the Pope to speak to European officials.
The four-day trip marks Pope Leo XIV’s first official visit to France and includes stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, along with an address at UNESCO headquarters. The itinerary features prayer vigils, meetings with bishops, young people, and vulnerable communities, as well as interreligious gatherings.
The decision on the Masses reflects France’s longstanding tradition of secular governance while still facilitating high-level state protocol for the papal visit. Officials from both sides have emphasized the importance of dialogue on international issues during the encounters.
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