Pope's visit to France: Preparations finalize for Lourdes, Paris, and Metz stops

A Vatican delegation has arrived in France to meticulously prepare for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit from September 25 to 28. The pontiff's journey, themed "So that the world may have life," will take him to Lourdes, Paris, and Metz. This visit gains particular significance as it follows the recent adoption of a law on "assisted dying" in France. The advance team, referred to as "the precursors" within the Vatican, is led by Mexican prelate Mgr José Salas Castañeda. This group of experts is working closely with both French ecclesiastical and republican authorities. Their mission is to finalize every detail of the program, ensuring all logistical, liturgical, security, and media parameters are flawlessly coordinated. The delegation began their work in Lourdes on Monday, July 20, and will proceed to Paris on Tuesday evening, followed by Metz from Thursday to Saturday. This is not their first visit, as they had previously drafted an initial plan before the summer. The final itinerary will be approved by the Pope himself upon the delegation's return to Rome, after which it will be publicly released. The "precursors" are known for their extreme attention to detail, aiming for a seamless and predictable schedule.