Jean-Charles Putzolu, Artur Hanula
“Great joy” for the Church, for France, for the Catholics of this country. Words of encouragement addressed to the Church, which faces many challenges but is determined to accompany the renewed interest in faith, visible in the growing number of catechumens and the revival of the pilgrimage movement. This is how the Metropolitan of Marseille and President of the French Bishops’ Conference commented on the communiqué from the Holy See Press Office, confirming the visit of Leo XIV to France from September 25-28 this year.
Leo XIV and France
The French cardinal received the news of the papal journey with “great joy.” In an interview with Vatican News, he emphasized that the French Church had been waiting for this news with hope. He added that discussions on this matter had been ongoing since Cardinal Prevost’s election to the See of Peter. Furthermore, on various occasions, Leo XIV has shown interest in the events of the Church in France. As the cardinal noted, the Pope is “attached to our country, to what it represents, to its history, to how it has also radiated within the Church, throughout the world, through beautiful figures of saints.”
The French Church today faces many challenges which, according to Cardinal Aveline, are “common to other countries, but also have their specific characteristics.” In his opinion, the Pope’s visit “is excellent news, not only for the Church in France, but also for our entire country.”
French Catholics await the Pope
As Cardinal Aveline emphasized, French Catholics are looking forward to the Pope’s visit. Many have already participated in Pope Francis’ pilgrimages to Marseille, Corsica, and also in Leo XIV’s pilgrimage to Monaco. The Metropolitan of Marseille noted that the Church in France is experiencing diverse experiences. “On the one hand, it is experiencing very beautiful things, with a growing number of young people discovering Christ and asking the Church for baptism or confirmation,” he said. “Personally, I am impressed by these extraordinary events, which require the Church in France to organize itself to meet this challenge.” The hierarch also pointed to the reviving pilgrimage movement and the growing importance of Marian shrines on French soil.
At the same time, Cardinal Aveline pointed out that, on the other hand, there are “more delicate” issues in France. “I see, for example, that in rural areas, Catholic communities consist mainly of older people. We also went through the crisis related to abuse and sexual violence in the Church. We went through it, but it’s not over yet. There is still much to do, much respect to show,” the cardinal said in an interview with Vatican media.
As he noted, the Pope is fully aware of the situation in France. “So he comes to listen to us, to encourage us, and also to give us a roadmap so that we can continue our mission in unity with the universal Church,” commented Cardinal Aveline. “All of this is very important, and I think the four months we have until the end of September will not be too long to prepare for this visit.”
Papal visit an encouragement to continue current efforts
According to Cardinal Aveline, the Pope’s September journey is an encouragement not to cease the actions undertaken by the French Church. “We will continue this, but I believe it is equally important for the Church in France to realize the grace that is the visit of the Successor of Peter. We must prepare,” he indicated. He emphasized that the French must allow the Holy Spirit to help them prepare as best as possible for this visit, and then to receive “what this visit of the Pope will evoke in us through his words and message.” “We must also prepare to be able to explain well to him what we are living, so that he, in turn, can give us a roadmap for the coming years,” he added.
The Pope in Paris and beyond
The President of the French Bishops’ Conference said that the papal visit to Paris is important. The Holy Father will visit, among other places, the UNESCO headquarters. He will probably also go to Lourdes. It is not excluded that other places will be included in the papal program. “Let’s not forget that this trip is very short, it will take place from September 25-28. In the future, the Pope will certainly have other opportunities to come to France, if God allows him to live and grants him health,” the cardinal noted.
Leo XIV at UNESCO
A papal speech is planned at the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. During the first year of his pontificate, Leo XIV repeatedly spoke on these topics, emphasizing the fundamental importance of education, the mutual complementarity of science and faith, and presenting culture as a bridge to peace. “This meeting at UNESCO headquarters reflects themes that intertwine and are important for the Church,” Cardinal Aveline indicated.
The Metropolitan of Marseille recalled that Pope Benedict XVI had already encouraged the French to take action in these areas during his trip to France (September 12-15, 2008). Furthermore, “the Church in France decided to work for three years on the topic of education, because it concerns many issues, and families in particular. This is a very important topic not only for the Church, but also for French society,” as Cardinal Aveline recalled.
The Metropolitan of Marseille added that the French approach “consists both in looking at the treasures of the Church, especially through the numerous congregations” working in the field of education, “as well as in re-examining what” has already been achieved and what still needs to be improved. “We have a lot of work ahead of us in this regard. Our approach aims to offer other actors from the world of education who do not share the Christian faith the opportunity to sit at the same table and exchange views on the challenges facing the world of education today,” said Cardinal Aveline. The President of the French Bishops’ Conference added that UNESCO is an important actor that combines science, culture, and education within a single international institution.
Leo XIV and Europe
The September trip to France will be the Pope’s third foreign visit to a European country. “We will listen to what he has to say to Europe. A trip to a given country is simultaneously a message from the Pope addressed to the Church in that country and to its inhabitants. It is also a message addressed to the universal Church and to people of good will around the world, conveyed through the trip to that country,” commented Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline.
The French hierarch emphasized that Europe and France have been marked by numerous wars, but there is also “an incredible power of reconciliation as a vehicle for peace.” He stressed that despite the wars, a process of reconciliation and peace was successfully carried out, which was “the source of an economic and political project that was implemented by people who, moreover, were Christians, whether Alcide De Gasperi, Konrad Adenauer, or Robert Schuman.”
“I think that in today’s times, due to the context in which we find ourselves – and the Pope has emphasized this sufficiently – it is important to work for peace, to build on this European experience, which is not unique but quite significant, and to emphasize the importance of Europe’s testimony and the power of reconciliation for building peace in the world,” concluded Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline.
