Emmanuel Macron is preparing a solemn welcome for Léon XIV: he will personally greet the pope at Orly on Friday morning and then proceed to a meeting at the Élysée. Despite this passion for popes, the president has decided not to attend the masses during the trip, a precaution motivated by concerns related to secularism and public image.
In brief: official welcome at Orly and joint speech in the banquet hall, gathering of European leaders in Metz for the speech on Europe, voluntary withdrawal of Macron from religious ceremonies, tension over a scrapped proposal to visit Notre-Dame. These elements show a French diplomacy attentive to balancing faith, the Republic, and politics.
Official welcome and appointment at the Élysée
The schedule is precise: welcome at Orly on Friday morning, followed by an exchange at the Élysée and addresses in the banquet hall in front of authorities and the diplomatic corps. The two men will then meet in Metz for a moment dedicated to Europe, where the heads of state from the other 26 EU countries have been invited, according to a report from Le Monde. This protocol illustrates the dual political and religious dimension of the visit.
A historical attraction to the popes, tempered by reservations
Macron has forged notable ties with contemporary popes: three meetings with François and a fourth with Léon XIV, recalls Vatican journalist Cyprien Viet. Educated by the Jesuits, the president is not a practicing Catholic but shows a sincere curiosity. After the criticism received for his presence at the Velodrome in 2023, his entourage explained that he would no longer attend the masses, as reported by Le Matin. A deliberate caution that avoids controversies.
Metz: European diplomacy at the heart of the visit
The messianic sequence in Metz has been designed in a “European” format: the pope will deliver a speech on Europe in front of leaders and institutions. The stakes are clear: multilateralism, peace, and technological issues such as artificial intelligence. Robert Prevost, pope Léon XIV, chose France shortly after his election, signaling the importance of French leadership in Europe, as noted by the Geopolitical Observatory of Religion.
Notre-Dame, distance, and managing frustrations
The proposal for a joint visit to Notre-Dame was rejected by the Vatican, causing a recognized “frustration” on the French side. The Vatican emphasizes the nature of an apostolic journey and the pope’s spiritual priority, which explains certain protocol sidelining. The Élysée nonetheless assures that the program was established “in trust,” reflecting a desire to preserve the relationship without making it an instrument of personal politics.
To learn more about Sébastien Auzière and the ins and outs of the Macron family, discover exclusive portraits and anecdotes on Brigitte Macron and her meetings and on private moments accessible to the public via the travel stories at the Élysée. Visit sebastien-auziere.fr to explore these pages and extend the visit.
