# Pope visits Paris center welcoming migrants > Pope Leo XIV will visit Maison Bakhita, a Paris charity that integrates migrants and refugees into local communities. - Title: Pope visits Paris center welcoming migrants · Vaticannews - Summary: Pope Leo XIV will visit Maison Bakhita, a Paris charity that integrates migrants and refugees into local communities. Direct human connection changes how… - Keywords: pope leo xiv, maison bakhita, paris, migrants, refugees, apostolic journey, archdiocese of paris, integration, charity, scalabrinian missionaries, st josephine bakhita, faith-based service - Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-09/pope-leo-visit-france-maison-bakhita-charity-migration-paris.html - Author: Vatican News - Published: 2026-09-21T08:51:19.405+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: pope leo xiv, maison bakhita, paris, migrants, refugees, apostolic journey, archdiocese of paris, integration, charity, scalabrinian missionaries, st josephine bakhita, faith-based service ## Pope's French journey includes migrant center Pope Leo XIV will visit Maison Bakhita in Paris on September 26 during his apostolic journey to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. ## Pope Francis called for migrant welcome In 2017, Pope Francis urged the world to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants as a duty of justice, civility and solidarity. > to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate ## Paris archdiocese answered the call Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, then Archbishop of Paris, worked with diocesan partners to create a center fulfilling this mission of migrant support. ## Maison Bakhita opened in 2021 The center opened in Paris's 18th district to welcome migrants, support their integration, and connect them with local residents. ## Personal connection changes perception Meeting migrants face-to-face with their stories transforms how people view them, unlike statistics that lack human faces. > When you're face-to-face with a person who has a name, a story, a child in their arms, we're convinced that this completely changes the way migrants are seen ## Pope's visit brings excitement and joy The visit is an immense surprise for staff and volunteers. Those unable to attend are writing letters and prayers to present to the Pope. ## Church shows commitment to migrants The Pope's visit demonstrates the Church's ongoing dedication to helping migrants live decently and welcoming them, especially amid growing fear of foreigners. > I was a stranger and you welcomed me ## Three-part mission serves migrants Maison Bakhita supports Church actors helping migrants, offers 30+ integration activities like French classes and job assistance, and facilitates local-migrant connections. ## Center trained 400 volunteers since 2021 The Maison has welcomed 2,800 people from 84 nationalities and works with 100 volunteers and 10 operational partners to deliver services. ## Faith anchors the community Two Scalabrinian sisters provide spiritual support through weekly Mass and prayer. The center welcomes people of all faiths, including Muslims grateful for a faith-centered home. ## Saint Bakhita inspires the mission Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese woman enslaved as a child who found faith and strength, represents the resilience and forgiveness the center embodies. ## African saint represents Global South Naming the center after Saint Bakhita gives a face to the Global South, reflecting the backgrounds of many migrants the Maison welcomes. ## Pope's visit offers hope and light The visit is expected to help people reflect on welcoming migrants and bring a message of peace and light to those in need. ## Key takeaway Direct human connection changes how people perceive migrants, and faith-based communities play a vital role in welcoming and supporting them.