Pope Leo XIV’s France Visit Promises Renewal, Says Cardinal Aveline

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s announced Apostolic Journey to France (Sept. 25–28) as a joyful opportunity and a roadmap for renewing the French Church amid challenges such as abuse recovery, aging rural communities, and the surge of youth pilgrimages. He notes plans for Paris and Lourdes, a UNESCO address on education and culture, and emphasizes the pope’s role in listening, encouragement, and guiding the Church’s path in communion with the universal Church and Europe’s reconciliation toward peace.