Pope Leo XIV is undertaking a significant four-day state visit to France, marking the first papal trip to the country in 18 years. The visit, which commenced in Paris on Friday, includes a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace and an address to French officials and civil society.

This pastoral visit occurs at a critical juncture for the Catholic Church in France, as it grapples with two deeply contentious issues: a recently enacted law permitting assisted dying and the enduring repercussions of widespread clerical sexual abuse.

The pontiff's agenda in Paris also features an address at UNESCO, a service at Notre-Dame Cathedral, and a youth vigil at the Stade de France. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the head of the French bishops’ conference, indicated that the "defence of the dignity of human life" would be a central theme of Pope Leo's message.

The implications of the visit extend beyond France's borders, with discussions planned on artificial intelligence and Europe's role in fostering peace and unity. Pope Leo is also scheduled to visit a Paris center that supports migrants, underscoring a broader concern for humanitarian issues.

France's new assisted dying law, established in August, allows for the practice under specific conditions for adults with serious, incurable illnesses. The Catholic Church, which upholds the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, has expressed strong opposition to such legislation. However, Martin Dumont, secretary-general of a French religion research institute, suggested that the Pope might avoid a confrontational stance on the matter.

A particularly sensitive part of the visit will be Pope Leo's meeting with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes on Sunday. This encounter comes in the wake of a 2021 independent inquiry that estimated approximately 330,000 minors were abused by clergy or associated individuals within the French Catholic Church over seven decades.

Retired French Bishop Marc Stenger acknowledged that these scandals have "wounded the church deeply and damaged its credibility." Despite recent efforts by the church to implement compensation and safeguarding measures, survivors continue to seek greater accountability from church leadership.

Pope Leo's visit also takes place in a nation with a strong tradition of secularism and a diminishing influence of the church in public policy, presenting a complex landscape for the pontiff to navigate as he seeks to engage with contemporary societal debates.