Pope Merchandise Flies Off Shelves in France Ahead of Visit The impending visit of Pope Francis has sent French retailers into a frenzy.
They're scrambling to meet the unexpected surge in demand for papal merchandise, from t shirts and posters to souvenirs and collectibles.
Historical Context: A Brief Look at Past Papal Visits Papal visits have a long history in France, dating back to 19th century Pope Leo XIII's first visit.