Pope takes stock of journey to France, emphasizes rebirth

October 01, 2026

Pope Leo XIV took stock of his recently concluded visit to France and said that the rebuilding of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Paris “can symbolically shed light on this entire apostolic journey, offering a perspective that I would summarize in one word: rebirth.”

Following a brief Scripture reading (Colossians 1:3-6), Pope Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience (video) that “the Cathedral of Paris, which just seven years ago seemed mortally wounded by a devastating fire, has now been rebuilt and is more splendid than ever. That disaster sparked a positive reaction at every level, some more visible and practical, others more hidden and of a spiritual nature.”

“Its restoration was a test of the possible collaboration between the Church, the State, public institutions and civil society,” he continued. “The synergy for the common good should be the norm for institutions, political and social forces, and all those with civil and economic responsibilities”—the message, he said, he wished to “convey to the French authorities, as well as to the members of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,” highlighting “the fundamental criterion upon which such collaboration must be based: the dignity of the human person.”

Even more, “Notre-Dame is the image of the Church made up of living stones, of the holy people of God,” said the Pope, who spoke of “a sign of renewal within the Church in France that has been evident for some years now, namely the remarkable and growing number of young people and adults seeking Baptism.” Reflecting on the outdoor Mass in Paris attended by at least 700,000 people, Pope Leo described the Eucharist as “the true reconstruction, the restoration of the Church that only God can bring about, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.”

At Lourdes, the Pope recalled, he wished to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, and to reaffirm that “every human life, in whatever condition, even in the most extreme frailty, retains its inviolable dignity and deserves to be cared for, accompanied and relieved of suffering with human compassion and with the aid of the means offered by science.” In Metz, he recalled Venerable Robert Schuman, “one of the principal inspirers of the process of European unification”:

Contemporary Europe was indeed born as a project for peace in the wake of the destruction wrought by war. We might say that what happened to Notre-Dame in Paris with the fire was what had happened to Europe during the Second World War. And Europe was reborn, founded on those principles of democracy, solidarity and fraternity amongst peoples, which owe much to its Christian roots.

Even today, it is on these foundations and with this vital “lifeblood” that the European project can be renewed, in a far more globalized world, where interreligious dialogue plays a role of primary importance.

“Dear friends, the theme of my pastoral Visit to France was ‘Pour que le mode ait la vie,’ ‘That the world may have life,’” Pope Leo concluded. “They are Jesus’ words, which encapsulate His entire mission of salvation and which, during the Journey, fully expressed the Gospel meaning of every encounter. May they now inspire our prayer, as we ask God that this event of grace may bear abundant and lasting fruit.”

After greeting pilgrims in various languages, the Pontiff led the recitation of the Pater Noster and imparted the apostolic blessing.

 

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Further information:

• General Audience (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 9/30/26)
• General Audience (Holy See Press Office, 9/30/26)
• Pope at Audience: Apostolic Journey to France was 'sign of rebirth' (Vatican News, 9/30/26)