10 Things They Didn’t Expect Leo to Say in France

“Rebirth.”

That is the one word Pope Leo XIV used to describe Notre Dame Cathedral and the faith of France after visiting from Sept. 25-28. But secular news saw it differently.

“I went primarily to preach the Gospel,” Leo told reporters on the plane, but also: “A message that I wished to openly reaffirm: every human life, in whatever condition, even in the most extreme frailty, retains its inviolable dignity and deserves to be cared for, accompanied and relieved of suffering with human compassion and with the aid of the means offered by science.”

He added that, “The four days were literally filled with many blessings. Almost miracles, I would say.”

While the secular news treated his remarks as too forceful, Leo noticed the special moment that his visit represented for France. “It was so apparent at the stadium, the evening with 80,000 young people gathered together from around France, with their enthusiasm and joy, and the sense of hope that they offered, but especially I think that they received and will be able to share with others.”

He said this is the moment for France to reclaim its identity as “the eldest daughter of the Church.” In fact, France’s return to the faith has already begun, he said. “A sign of renewal within the Church in France that has been evident for some years now,” he said, “namely the remarkable and growing number of young people and adults seeking Baptism.”

Here are some key points Pope Leo XIV made, returning again and again to the right to life, and challenging the Church in France on many fronts.

1: All Life Is Valuable, From Conception On

“Before all else, the human person is someone who is conceived and born. … Our dignity is not destroyed by illness or suffering, nor is it dependent upon our abilities. Rather, it calls for loving care at every stage of life.”
— Pope Leo XIV to UNESCO meeting on Sept. 28, 2026

2: France Must Do Penance

“We hear the same urgent call to conversion in the words which Mary spoke right here, ‘Penance! Penance! Penance!’ She repeats the word three times. And she asks Bernadette to perform certain acts of penance. Why? Are we slow to understand? Do we too easily think of ourselves without sin? Do we not practice penance enough? The Virgin asks us to do penance not only for ourselves, because we too need it, but also ‘for sinners,’ for a world that is going astray.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Sept. 26 at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Lourdes.

3: The Right to Life Is Foundational

Pope Leo came to affirm the “irreplaceable worth of every human being.” The French value of “Fraternity,” he said, “teaches us to welcome life unconditionally, to support frailty with loving care, to accompany every stage of life with respect and mutual trust, and to defend with courage and compassion those unable to make their voices heard and those who feel ignored or overlooked. That is why I firmly reiterate that the protection of the right to life constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right.”
— Pope Leo XIV in his address to authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Élysée Palace, Sept. 25, 2026.

4: The French Church Must Convert

“This call to conversion also concerns the Church herself as she makes her earthly journey. She must have the courage to begin with herself. In order to heal the deep wounds, infidelities and painful errors that have occurred within her, we must humbly place ourselves under the Lord’s purifying gaze.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Sept. 26 at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Lourdes.

5: Openness to Life Is Key to Vocations

Pope Leo prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes: “Renew the faith and fervor of Christian families, who are so dear to your heart, so that they may live day by day in the presence of Jesus, in his grace, and with his support through the difficulties they face. May they be generously open to life, and may God awaken vocations within them, especially to the priesthood and religious life.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Sept. 26 at the Grotto of the Apparitions at Lourdes.

6: Young People Need to Start Families

“To young people, I say … Love life at every moment, and do not be afraid of the future! Do not be afraid to start a family, to bring children into the world, to defend the dignity of every person, from the moment of conception to death.”
— Pope Leo XIV to UNESCO meeting on Sept. 28, 2026

7: Benedictines Transform Culture

St. Benedict is a “founding father of Europe,” the Pope said. “Care for the poor, the sick and the elderly; education of children and universities; hospitals and medicine; architecture and engineering; the development of the sciences; law and the organization of cities and States themselves — so much in Europe stems from the profound influence of Saint Benedict and his monks! Without this monastic tradition, European civilization as we know it would not exist.”
— Pope Leo XIV to the Meeting “At the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity,” Metz, Sept. 28, 2026

8: No Catholic Future Without Strong French Families

“Deepening and strengthening the life of faith within families is certainly key to resolving many of the crises facing the Church and society. For it is within families that we learn how to live together, respect others, accept diversity, support one another, be generous, give of ourselves freely and embrace the spirit of sacrifice. Perhaps this is our main challenge: that Jesus may live fully in the families of French Catholics and illumine them with his presence.”
— Pope Leo XIV September 27, 2026 Meeting with Bishops of the bishops’ conference of France.

9: French Catholic Schools Must Be More Catholic

“It is good that Catholic schools are widely open to those who do not share our faith. … At the same time, Catholic education can in no way renounce its educational mission, which is centered on Christ and directed towards the integral development of the human person in all his or her dimensions: spiritual, cultural, intellectual, moral and social. No one, therefore, should be surprised that every Catholic school offers opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ and hear his word. Still less should any pupils ever find themselves marginalized in the classroom simply because they believe in Jesus.”
— Pope Leo XIV at a meeting with French bishops, Sept. 27, 2026.

10: Priests Must Be Strongly Supported

“You must continue along the path you have begun [responding vigorously to sex abuse accusations], maintaining the greatest vigilance. At the same time, your clergy need to be supported and encouraged. I know that they are the object of your paternal care. Moreover, if priestly vocations are to flourish, priests must be eagerly wanted, welcomed and loved, and their identity as men configured to Christ should also be clearly understood by the People of God, for the sake of the joy of the Gospel and its mission.”
— Pope Leo XIV at a meeting with French bishops, Sept. 27, 2026.

Image: Pope Leo XIV meets President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, Alamy.

By Tom Hoopes