Pope Leo to visit a secular France at odds with Catholic views on abortion, euthanasia
Summary
Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, during a time when the country’s laws on abortion and assisted dying differ from Catholic Church teachings. France recently made abortion a constitutional right and approved a law allowing assisted death for terminally ill patients, while the Pope promotes protecting all human life from conception until natural death.Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV begins a four-day visit to France on September 25, 2026.
- France enshrined abortion as a constitutional right in 2024.
- France approved a law allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication.
- Catholic teaching opposes abortion and euthanasia and supports care from conception to natural death.
- Pope Leo’s visit motto is “That the world may have life,” emphasizing protection of human life.
- The visit includes a Mass at Place de la Concorde in Paris, expecting about 1 million attendees.
- France practices strict secularism with church and state separated since 1905.
- The influence of the Catholic Church in France has decreased due to secular trends and past abuse scandals.
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