Pope departs for France with peace message

Pope Leo XIV boarded the papal plane to Paris on September 25, beginning his fifth international apostolic journey. He told over 80 journalists from 10 countries that he travels to proclaim Christ's peace, a message he says is particularly important today.

“I travel to France, as to anywhere else in the world, as a follower of Jesus Christ wanting to proclaim peace”

Journey covers Paris, Lourdes, and Metz

The apostolic journey runs from September 25 to 28 and will take Pope Leo XIV to three French cities. The Pope thanked journalists for their work and noted the trip will address a number of very important topics.

Pope apologizes for Spain flight incident

During his June 2026 apostolic journey to Spain, a technical issue on the papal plane prevented journalists from returning to Rome with the Pope, canceling the usual inflight press conference. The Pope personally apologized for leaving journalists unhappy about the separate flight.

“I know this incident left a number of you unhappy with the fact that we could not have the flight back together”

Pope discusses press freedom with journalists

When asked by a CNN reporter about colleagues facing White House access issues, the Pope emphasized that good coverage is important and should be available for everyone. He expressed happiness that journalists were welcome aboard the papal flight.

“good coverage, I think, is very important and that we have it all the way around, for everyone”

Pope addresses artificial intelligence development

A New York Times journalist asked the Pope about AI development. He said the Vatican Commission is in dialogue with AI leaders and hopes AI becomes a tool for humanity rather than displacing or destroying it. He noted positive developments are beginning.

“AI does not displace or ultimately destroy humanity, but rather be a tool for human beings”

Pope reflects on Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Asked about the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the Pope shared that his family watched Sheen's television programs together. He said Sheen's enthusiastic teaching of Catholic faith was meaningful and helped his family understand the truth.

“We watched him as a family, and it was a way of spending some time together as a family with the truth”

Spain wildfire cross presented to Pope

A Spanish radio journalist gave the Pope a cross made from wood salvaged from Spain's devastating summer wildfires. Around 300,000 hectares burned in Spain this year. The cross contains charred remains from near a chapel in Madrid that was spared by the flames.

“In the face of natural disasters, we must show responsibility and care for our common home”

Venezuelan earthquake survivors' letters shared

A Venezuelan photojournalist gave the Pope a book containing 74 letters from survivors of an earthquake that devastated the nation in June and killed over 6,000 people. The gift brought attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

Pope addresses Ceuta migration crisis

Asked about the migration crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in northern Africa, the Pope said he has followed the issue since the beginning. He called it a humanitarian crisis and stressed the need to find responses to avoid continued emergency situations.

“It was really a humanitarian crisis”