Pope Leo XIV has announced that his first foreign trip as pontiff will be to France in early 2027, the Vatican confirmed on September 29. The visit will include meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and stops at major Catholic shrines.

According to the announcement carried by the Associated Press, the papal itinerary is expected to include Lisieux and Mont Saint-Michel among its highlights. The trip marks a significant early diplomatic engagement for the first American-born pope, whose foreign travels are being closely watched.

France, historically described as the Church's 'eldest daughter', has deep ties with the Vatican, and papal visits to the country carry both religious and political weight. The announcement comes as the new pontiff shapes his international profile, with further trips expected to be announced in the coming months. Vatican watchers say the choice of France for the first trip signals continuity with his predecessors' emphasis on Europe, while keeping the door open for visits to the Global South later in the pontificate.