Pope, in address to French bishops, emphasizes Marian devotion, bold witness to Christ

September 28, 2026

In a wide-ranging address to the bishops of France, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of Marian devotion and bold witness to Christ in the public square.

The address, which took place on September 27 in the St. Bernadette auditorium at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, was the first scheduled event on the third day of the Pope’s apostolic journey to France.

Stating that “there is no better way to come to Jesus than through Mary,” Pope Leo reviewed the history of Marian devotion in France before challenging the bishops to “show courage, boldness and missionary creativity”:

The Church has indeed both witnessed and contributed to the gradual establishment of your nation. Today she still remains an important part of France’s culture, identity and role in the world. For this reason, the voice of the Church has every right to be heard in the public square.

By its nature, it possesses a prophetic authority. Even if it is not always understood, her voice is nonetheless needed. Even when her teaching is not followed, particularly on essential questions touching the foundations of civilization, it remains necessary. Do not doubt this. I know of your steadfastness and courage—as you showed clearly during the recent debates on end-of-life issues—and I encourage you to persevere, together with all people of good will who uphold the same values.

You currently live under a particular form of secularity (laïcité), born of a turbulent history that is now more peaceful, but which must allow the Church to carry out her mission. The fact that this hard-won balance is gradually being called into question, as is happening elsewhere in the Western world, must not lead you to give up. I urge you to remain vigilant in defending the freedom and rights of the Church to evangelize, to educate about true freedom, and to worship publicly, so that charity may be exercised visibly in the name of Jesus Christ.

“There is only one “roadmap,” which is always the same: to make Jesus Christ known and loved, authentically, passionately, again and again,” the Pope added, before discussing various challenges, including threats to Catholic education, the abuse scandal, and the decline of contemplative vocations, which he linked to a decline in Catholic family life.

“Deepening and strengthening the life of faith within families is certainly key to resolving many of the crises facing the Church and society,” Pope Leo said. “For it is within families that we learn how to live together, respect others, accept diversity, support one another, be generous, give of ourselves freely and embrace the spirit of sacrifice. Perhaps this is our main challenge: that Jesus may live fully in the families of French Catholics and illumine them with his presence.”

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic Journey to France: Meeting with the Bishops of the French Bishops’ Conference (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 9/27/26)
• Pope to French Bishops: Church bears prophetic authority in public square (Vatican News, 9/27/26)