France prepares for Pope Leo XIV’s visit amid large crowds and heightened security

France is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV for a visit expected to draw hundreds of thousands of faithful and other visitors. The trip includes a two-day stop in Paris. France 24 describes it as the first state visit to France by a pontiff since 2008.

Authorities are mounting a major security operation in Paris, mobilizing about 14,000 police officers, gendarmes and soldiers across the capital. The projected cost of the visit has risen from €12 million to €27 million as plans expanded in response to strong public interest, according to France 24, prompting debate over how the expense will be covered in a country committed to secularism.

The visit comes as the French Catholic Church reports increased interest among younger people. More than 21,000 catechumens—people preparing for baptism—have been recorded in France so far in 2026, with growth particularly evident among teenagers and young adults.

Pope Leo is also expected to address Europe’s future and challenges during his broader European trip, Deutsche Welle reported. His arrival follows renewed tensions between the Vatican and the Society of Saint Pius X, an ultra-conservative Catholic splinter group with thousands of followers and a network of schools in France. France 24 reported that the Vatican’s recent excommunication of the group’s followers has revived a longstanding feud within the Roman Catholic Church.