Pope Leo arrives in France

Pope Leo XIV visited Paris on Saturday to address the Church in France during his apostolic journey. He spoke to the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens, and newly baptized Catholics at the Catholic University of Paris.

Adults returning to faith

Pope Leo expressed surprise at the growing number of people seeking Christian initiation in secular France. He called this a tangible sign of God's grace working beyond statistics and sociology.

“I am struck by the number of people returning to the threshold of the faith, and by the many adults seeking the sacraments of Christian initiation.”

Recognize the small flame

The Pope warned against both defeatism and complacency, urging the Church to protect what he called the small flame the Holy Spirit has kindled and the tiny seed striving to grow amid thorns.

“the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night”

Church in a state of initiation

Pope Leo called for the French Church to become a Church in a state of initiation, welcoming and accompanying adults seeking faith. This requires concrete pastoral initiatives and asking where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church.

Accompaniment beyond baptism

Christian initiation does not end with the sacraments. The Pope warned against post-baptismal emptiness and called for newly baptized Catholics to be fully integrated into parishes and receive ongoing formation in Scripture, theology, and Christian life.

Liturgy reveals the Gospel

The Pope emphasized that liturgy is not merely an application of catechesis but makes Christ's Paschal Mystery present. Its rhythms, language, and rites are part of the conversion journey and can reveal the Gospel's meaning.

Train those who accompany

Godparents and pastoral workers need biblical, theological, and spiritual training plus human qualities like compassion and tenderness. Accompaniment means walking together with respect for each person's pace and life experiences.

“It means adopting the style of 'walking together,'”

Small seeds grow into trees

Pope Leo pointed to Saint Augustine as an example of how faith can grow from a tiny seed. He told the catechumens and newly baptized to be missionaries of the Gospel in French society.

Mission in daily faithfulness

The Pope invoked French saints like Therese of the Child Jesus and Martin of Tours, showing that mission is built by remaining faithful to the Lord's presence in everyday life, not grand gestures.