Pope Leo XIV consecrates France to Virgin Mary during Lourdes visit
On September 26, 2026, Leo XIV arrived in France for the second day of his apostolic visit, traveling to the Tarbes-Lourdes Airport before visiting the Massabielle Grotto in Lourdes to consecrate the nation to the Virgin Mary, pray for peace, and meet with refugees at the Maison Bakhita center in Paris.
The papal journey highlights a deliberate focus on spiritual renewal, social integration, and international peace.
Arrival in Lourdes and Prayer at the Massabielle Grotto
Local time at 7:00 PM on September 26, 2026, marked the arrival of Leo XIV at the Tarbes-Lourdes Airport amid ringing church bells and crowds of pilgrims lining the streets. Traveling straight to the sanctuary, the pontiff approached the Massabielle Grotto where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.
Thousands of pilgrims sang “Ave Maria” as the Pope knelt before the grotto in silent prayer. He subsequently touched the stone wall and drank from the Lourdes spring. In his petition to the Virgin Mary, Leo XIV asked for a “gift of fraternal harmony” for the French people, requesting the elimination of violence and hatred to foster a society where families and individuals can work and live in peace.
The prayer specifically asked for the protection of marginalized and poor populations, while urging French leaders to commit to the common good and handle difficult challenges with wisdom. Leo XIV also prayed that France would uphold international peace and basic human rights while rejecting a “mindset of war.” Concluding the visit to the grotto, the Pope dedicated the prayers of sick and suffering visitors from around the globe to the Virgin Mary, presented the Golden Rose to the statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and blessed the gathered assembly.
Social Integration and Outreach at Maison Bakhita
Earlier in the day on September 26, 2026, the itinerary brought the Pope to Paris for a visit to Maison Bakhita, a social support and integration center dedicated to aiding immigrants and refugees. Interacting directly with residents, staff, and volunteers, Leo XIV delivered a pointed message regarding human dignity.
“There is no one so poor that they have nothing to give, and no one so rich that they have nothing to receive,” the Pope stated, describing impoverished individuals not as mere sociological categories, but as the literal face of Christ for Christians.
The pontiff expressed gratitude to the volunteers and staff facilitating the integration of newcomers through hospitality, education, and friendship. He noted that true enrichment begins in places where people share their spiritual and material gifts with one another.
Engaging France’s Evolving Catholic Community in Paris
Observers noted that the gathering underscored ongoing shifts in French religious life.
The Pope evaluated the state of the local Church, observing that even within a heavily secularized French society, an increasing number of adults are actively seeking out the faith or returning to it. This demographic movement has placed unique administrative and pastoral demands on regional parishes, prompting local church leaders to coordinate closely with consultants to support growing catechumenate programs.
The second day of the apostolic journey thus wove together traditional Marian devotion at a global sanctuary with direct engagement on modern social welfare and urban evangelization, leaving local communities and visiting pilgrims with enduring calls for peace, solidarity, and active hospitality.