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Pope Leo’s address to the Bishops of the French Episcopal Conference
Saint Bernadette auditorium at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday, 27 September 2026
“I believe that the time is right for those in our society who are waiting to hear
the hopeful message of the Gospel and to see the light of the risen Christ before their eyes“. ___________________________________
Dear brothers in the episcopate,
I am very pleased to meet you, dear brothers in the episcopate, in this blessed place, just a short distance from the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette, and where you regularly gather for your plenary Assemblies.
In choosing this location, you have clearly expressed your desire to place the Church in France under the protection of the Mother of God, the Immaculate Virgin, so that she may guide her more surely according to the Lord’s will.
Indeed, there is no better way to come to Jesus than through Mary.
Everything about her leads us to her Son.
In this way, you carry forward the heritage you have received from your ancestors in the faith, stretching back to the earliest days of the evangelization of your country.
Devotion to the Mother of God took such deep root here that France was soon called the “Kingdom of Mary” (Pius XI, Apostolic Letter Galliam, Ecclesiae Filiam Primogenitam, March 2, 1922).
The unique bond between your nation and the Blessed Virgin was eexemplified when France was solemnly consecrated to her on February 10, 1638.
I saw a beautiful depiction of this event two days ago in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
In reference to this pledge, my predecessor Pius XI declared Our Lady of the Assumption the patroness of France.
The long journey of trust and tenderness with Mary is evident in the numerous devotions and answered prayers, often accompanied by tears, in places bearing her name, such as sanctuaries, pilgrimage sites, and cathedrals.
Despite obstacles, this journey continues and bears witness to the living faith of the People of God entrusted to your care.
Dear brothers, in the face of the immense challenges of our time, I urge you to show courage, boldness, and missionary creativity.
Do not be discouraged by the errors, inconsistencies, or falls that have marked the history of this pilgrim people.
Always have the courage to acknowledge failings with a love of the truth and a determination to heal wounds with the charity of the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and calls each of them by name.
Rise up, then, with hope and never grow weary of proclaiming the Gospel!
The history of the Church in France is immensely rich.
As you build the future of your communities and country, it is important to draw upon its beautiful and fruitful history.
The Church has witnessed and contributed to the gradual establishment of your nation.
Today, the Church remains an integral part of French culture, identity, and global role.
For this reason, the Church has every right to be heard in the public square.
By its nature, the Church possesses prophetic authority.
Even if it is not always understood, her voice is nonetheless necessary.
Even when her teachings are not followed, particularly on essential questions that touch the foundations of civilization, her voice remains necessary.
Do not doubt this. I know of your steadfastness and courage, as evidenced by your recent participation in debates on end-of-life issues, and I encourage you to persevere alongside all people of goodwill who share your values.
You currently live under a particular form of secularism (laïcité), born of a turbulent history that is now more peaceful.
This form of secularism must allow the Church to carry out its mission.
The hard-won balance that has been achieved is gradually being called into question, as is happening elsewhere in the Western world.
This should not lead you to give up.
I urge you to remain vigilant in defending the Church’s freedom and rights to evangelize, educate about true freedom, and worship publicly so that charity may be exercised visibly in the name of Jesus Christ.
On the occasion of the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Pope Francis wrote to you: “I invite all the baptized who will joyfully enter this cathedral to feel a legitimate sense of pride, and to reclaim their faith heritage. Dear faithful of Paris and France, this dwelling, which our heavenly Father inhabits, is yours; you are its living stones. Those who preceded you in the faith built it for you”
Encouraging the baptized to “reclaim their heritage of faith” is now part of your mission as pastors, as you seek to renew the Church in France.
The Lord has entrusted to you, the Catholics of France, the “eldest daughter of the Church,” with more than enough to inspire thanksgiving.
Consider the unbroken succession of holiness to this day, the flourishing of the arts, literature, and sciences under the inspiration of faith and the action of the Holy Spirit, the deepening awareness of the inalienable worth of the human person and his or her dignity, and the need to protect human rights and freedoms.
Not to mention the remarkable missionary impetus that has borne fruit to the ends of the earth.
Jesus has already given you much, and in his love, he wishes to give you even more.
That is why, looking to the future, Pope Francis added to the words I quoted earlier. “May the rebirth of this admirable church be a prophetic sign of the renewal of the church in France”.
I, too, believe that the time is right for those in our society who are waiting to hear the hopeful message of the Gospel and to see the light of the risen Christ before their eyes.
In France and elsewhere in the West, the message of peace rooted in Jesus is needed more than ever in the face of troubling polarization, a decline in fraternity and cordiality, and a resurgence of violence, inequality, and poverty.
Faced with such challenges, the false promise of a world without God, where he is relegated to the private sphere and his grace is deemed unnecessary for “building the City,” has given way to disillusionment and disorientation.
Yet, Jesus clearly warned his disciples: “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Young people, in particular, have great aspirations.
Anxious about the future and concerned about the world they will inherit, they are ready to courageously and generously work for all that is beautiful, true, and good.
Show them the way of the Gospel—the only sure path, even when demanding—which has already borne much fruit in France.
Yesterday in Paris, we discussed the encouraging trend of an increasing number of young adults joining the catechumenate.
This is a grace and a joy for the entire People of God.
It is important that you nurture this grace carefully, above all by welcoming young people into living communities that practice charity and solidarity and by providing solid doctrinal formation rooted in the Word of God.
This will help them answer their objections and doubts.
In order to renew hope and give fresh impetus to the Church’s mission in France, I earnestly desire only one “roadmap”: to make Jesus Christ known and loved authentically and passionately again and again.
In the present context, you face several major challenges.
Education is of particular importance.
It is commendable that your assemblies are giving this subject further consideration.
Education is a broad mission that touches many areas of life.
I would simply like to mention Catholic education, whose distinctive character is currently being called into question.
Fortunately, Catholic schools are open to people of all faiths.
This generous welcome, which respects each person’s freedom of conscience, promises to bear great fruit for everyone—for society and for the Church herself.
At the same time, however, Catholic education must never renounce its mission, which centers on Christ and is directed toward the integral development of the human person in all his or her dimensions: spiritual, cultural, intellectual, moral, and social.
Therefore, no one should be surprised that every Catholic school offers opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ and hear his word. Even fewer pupils should ever find themselves marginalized in the classroom simply for believing in Jesus.
In recent years, you have courageously confronted the painful scourge of abuse against minors by members of the clergy in an ecclesial context.
You have taken courageous measures in response, including listening, searching for truth and justice, offering forgiveness and making amends, and committing firmly to a culture of prevention and protection against these crimes.
I thank you for what you have done. I know some moments have been very difficult for your conference.
You must continue along the path you have begun, maintaining the greatest vigilance.
At the same time, your clergy need support and encouragement.
I know they are the object of your paternal care.
Furthermore, if priestly vocations are to flourish, priests must be wanted, welcomed, and loved eagerly.
Their identity as men configured to Christ must also be clearly understood by the People of God for the sake of the joy of the Gospel and its mission.
I would also like to address the unfortunate decline in vocations to a consecrated life, especially a contemplative one.
I have learned with sorrow of the recent or impending closure of ancient, renowned monastic communities that have had a profound historical influence.
Following Jesus along such a demanding path requires a special generosity, deep-rooted faith, sustained interior life, and privileged closeness to him, alongside the work of grace.
These qualities are most often found in Christian families, who therefore deserve the greatest attention and support.
Strengthening the spiritual life within families is key to resolving many crises facing the Church and society.
After all, it is within families that we learn to live together, respect others, accept diversity, support one another, be generous, give freely of ourselves, and embrace sacrifice.
Perhaps our main challenge is to allow Jesus to live fully in the families of French Catholics and illuminate them with his presence.
In addition to these issues, another cause for concern about the future is the issue of unity.
In this regard, I would like to emphasize how important it is for Jesus’ disciples to be united in charity.
As Jesus asked his Father, “May they be one, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).
The Church in France is a small group that must gather its strength for its mission. Ideological divisions would render her witness in vain.
Throughout the history of the Church, tensions have always existed.
However, when they arise, they can help us to appreciate the gift of unity more deeply.
This unity is not uniform but rather allows every authentic Catholic sensibility to naturally converge in a common profession of faith through obedience to legitimate pastors, especially the Successor of Peter.
He is the lasting and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and communion.
This dynamic unity is nourished by the Church’s tradition — from the Fathers to the Second Vatican Council and the post-conciliar Magisterium.
At the same time, it is a unity enriched by reciprocal dialogue rooted in faith and expressed in the synodal style we have sought to deepen recently.
My brothers,
The Church in France is dear to the Pope’s heart. I would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and hope that arise whenever I think of you.
The people of your country are blessed with fervent, fraternal communities that are open to the world, young people committed to countless initiatives, and a heritage that sustains and responsibilities you.
I am confident that the Church in France will zealously continue her mission to proclaim Jesus Christ and lead others to love him so that the world may have life (cf. Jn 10:10).
Entrusting your Assembly, diocesan communities and nation to the maternal protection of Our Lady of Lourdes, I gladly impart to you my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you.
