A Papal Visit for a New Era: What Leo's France Trip Reveals About the Catholic Church's Shift The Vatican's announcement that Pope Leo XIV will visit France in September has significant implications beyond the pomp and circumstance of a high level diplomatic trip.
As the first pope from the United States to make an official state visit to France since 2008, Leo's itinerary reflects the Vatican's changing priorities.
For decades, European nations have become increasingly secular, leaving the Catholic Church struggling to maintain its influence in historically strong bastions of faith.