While on his four-day visit to France, Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the large number of young converts to the Catholic Church, particularly among Gen Z. The pilgrimage has been recognized as historic, as it was the first official visit from a pope in 18 years.
France – referred to by the Washington Post as “the heart of secularized Europe” – is witnessing the “paradox” and “marvel” of new converts according to the Holy Father, a “phenomenon” which “contradicts every defeatist attitude.”
From 2019 to 2026, the number of adult baptisms into the Catholic Church in France more than tripled and 82% of converts are under the age of 40, with most being between the ages of 18 and 25.
In the United States, college campus ministries across the country are reporting similar surges in OCIA enrollment, the class to begin and complete conversion into the faith.
The Holy Father’s trip to France has drawn widespread media attention around the globe.
“…in twenty years there will be nothing left of the Church” Voltaire, 1773
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) September 27, 2026
More than 250 years later, the Eldest daughter of the Church stills alive.
Christ is King! Vive la France! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/nm0vel0tHo
On Friday, video captured Pope Leo XIV becoming visibly emotional while singing the Salve Regina before the statue of the Blessed Mother holding the Infant Jesus inside the Notre Dame cathedral. Pope Leo was also the first pope to visit the newly restored cathedral.
The same night, he attended a youth vigil during which a procession of an “army of saints” paraded in – French people dressed as many of their country’s saints like St. Joan of Arc, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Vincent de Paul. Turning to the 80,000 young adult attendees, Pope Leo XIV said, “You are the saints of France!”
The pope also made a pilgrimage to Lourdes and drank from the water of the springs in response to the message of Our Lady given to St. Bernadette: “Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there.”
Praying to Our Lady for the sake of France, he pleaded, “Our Lady of Lourdes, the Immaculate Conception, in this blessed place you spoke with such gentleness and tenderness to Saint Bernadette, a humble daughter of the French people, to convey to the world a radiant message of prayer, conversion and hope.”
“Grant its people the gift of fraternal harmony, so that they may build a harmonious society that banishes all violence and hatred, and allows everyone to work, to start a family and to live life to the fullest in peace and serenity. May the most disadvantaged and the poorest always be supported. Obtain for France wise and generous leaders, ready to make sacrifices, capable of responding to challenges, and eager to serve the common good.”
Pope Leo sings Salve Regina with thousands of French people outside Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/vO1WQ0PUuG
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) September 25, 2026
Other notable stops on his itinerary included a visit with President Macron at the Élysée Palace and a visit to the Maison Bakhita Center for a meeting with migrants.
On Saturday, an estimated 800,000 people gathered for a massive open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde, and worshippers filled the Avenue des Champs-Élysées for more than a mile.
The next day, the Holy Father met with the bishops of France, held a private meeting with abuse victims, and then finished the day with the rosary and a procession lit by torch.
After celebrating Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen on Monday, Pope Leo XIV returned to Rome.
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