Leo XIV, Trying to Be Everyone’s Pope, Heads to Secular France

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-25T04:08:55.072Z • Permanent link

Pope Leo XIV, the 262nd Pope of the Catholic Church, has embarked on a four-day visit to France, marking a significant milestone in his efforts to reinvigorate Roman Catholicism's global presence. The trip, which began on September 20th, will see the Pope engage with French politicians, business leaders, and ordinary citizens, as he seeks to bolster the church's influence in both its traditional heartlands and newer strongholds.

Prior to his French sojourn, Pope Leo XIV had completed a grueling tour of sub-Saharan Africa, where he met with African leaders, clergy, and ordinary people. This high-profile visit was seen as a crucial step in Pope Leo XIV's broader strategy to reassert the Catholic Church's relevance in a rapidly changing world. By prioritizing Africa, Pope Leo XIV aims to tap into the continent's burgeoning middle class and capitalize on its growing economic influence.

Meanwhile, the Pope's French visit is expected to be a major test of his diplomatic acumen. French President Emmanuel Macron, a devout Catholic, has been instrumental in shaping the Pope's agenda, and the two leaders are likely to engage on a range of pressing issues, from climate change to migration. By forging a strong partnership with Macron, Pope Leo XIV hopes to leverage the French presidency's considerable influence to further the Catholic Church's interests.

Macron's presidency has been marked by a series of bold initiatives aimed at promoting France's global influence. As a key player in the European Union, the French presidency has been instrumental in shaping the bloc's policies on issues ranging from trade to defense. By partnering with Pope Leo XIV, Macron is seeking to expand France's reach beyond the traditional sphere of influence, and into the realm of global faith politics.

Several major companies, including Airbus and Total, have already announced plans to strengthen their ties with the Catholic Church in the wake of Pope Leo XIV's African tour. These efforts are likely to be replicated in France, where the church's influence is already significant. As the global economy continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, sustainable energy, and social inequality, the Catholic Church's views on these issues are likely to become increasingly important to businesses and policymakers alike.

Pope Leo XIV's visit to France is part of a larger pattern of Catholic Church efforts to reassert its influence in a rapidly changing world. The church's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, was marked by a series of coordinated initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable communities and promoting public health. Similarly, the Catholic Church's stance on climate change has been increasingly vocal, with Pope Francis issuing a landmark encyclical on the subject in 2015.