Pope Leo XIV bids farewell to France

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV has left France aboard an Air France flight, returning to Rome after his fifth international apostolic journey, which took him to Paris, Lourdes and Metz from 25 to 28 September 2026.

His plane took off from Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport on Monday just after 7:30 pm local time and is scheduled to land at Rome Fiumicino Airport shortly after 9.

He is expected to hold his usual in-flight press conference with journalists on board the papal plane. 

The Pope's departure followed a private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron inside the airport building, and then an official farewell ceremony on the tarmac with full military honours in the presence of civil and religious authorities.

After the Guard of Honour, a band played both the French national anthem and the Pontifical Anthem as is customary.

From migration to artificial intelligence, the Christian roots of Europe and pressing ethical concerns regarding the protection of life, as well as reiterated appeals to pray and work for peace in our fragmented world, Pope Leo‘s discourses, homilies and presence at different events shone a light on some of the biggest challenges facing Europe, the Catholic Church and French society.