Pope Leo XIV arrived in France, where President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcomed him, according to Corriere della Sera. The visit, reported on Friday, September 25, 2026, marks the pontiff's trip to the country.
During the visit, the pope addressed several topics. According to Il Fatto Quotidiano and Avvenire, he called for an end to the arms race and described rearmament as the wrong path, saying the time is for dialogue and diplomacy. Vatican News reported that he said the reconstruction of Notre-Dame should serve as a model of welcome and participation. On end-of-life issues, ANSA reported that he said a programmed death cannot be offered.
Corriere della Sera also noted a remark the pope made about journalists excluded from the White House, saying he was happy they were all there. On artificial intelligence, he said the human person must be put back at the center, according to the same outlet.
The reporting draws on coverage from several Italian outlets, including Corriere della Sera, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Avvenire, Vatican News and ANSA, each focusing on different aspects of the pope's remarks during the France trip.
What to watch next: further statements from the pope's visit and any official responses from the French government or the Vatican.
