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National Catholic Register

150,000-Plus Visitors Prepare to Welcome Pope Leo in Lourdes

Pilgrims gather at the foot of the grotto in Lourdes where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858 on Sept. 25 as they wait for Pope Leo's visit as part of his three-day papal trip to France.

As Pope Leo XIV makes his way to Lourdes later on Sept. 26 as part of his four-day trip to France, pilgrims, local residents, and business owners in the famous town prepare with excitement.

PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV Visits France’s Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral

Pope Leo XIV stands outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026 to pray the Salve Regina before the statue of Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Commissioned in the early 19th century and crafted by goldsmith Charles-Nicolas Odiot, the statue survived being thrown from the archbishop's palace during the riots of 1831 and later narrowly escaped being melted down.

Pope Leo XIV is visiting France from Sept. 25–28 and elebrated Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Friday evening, becoming the first pope to visit the church since it was rebuilt.

Churchgoing Catholic Couples Trend the Happiest, Report Finds

The report on faith and marriage recommends an active faith life, intentional marital discernment, family support at the parish level, and marriage formation for adolescents and young adults.

A new report by the Institute for Family Studies found that church attendance is correlated with happy, fulfilling marriages but urges parishes to increase support for big families.

Bishop Varden Urges Balanced Approach to Immigration and National Identity

Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, preaches to Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia during Lenten spiritual exercises at the Vatican on Feb. 22, 2026.

Norwegian bishop warns against ethnic purity and hostility to strangers, while stressing migrants’ duties to respect the heritage and laws of their adopted countries.

Pope Leo XIV Warns of ’Corruption of Culture’ in the Age of AI

Daniel Ibáñez
Pope Leo XIV addresses the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris on Sept. 25, 2026.

The Holy Father said AI 'cannot answer questions that concern the meaning of human life, which is rooted in lived experience.'