‘Many seeds were sown’ on Pope’s visit to France

By CathNews New Zealand

October 2nd, 2026

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (Archdiocese of Marseille)

The president of the French bishops’ conference says the Church “received a great deal” from Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the country in recent days, but said it must be a catalyst for more. Source: Vatican News.

The Holy Father’s visit to France from September 25-28 was met with large and enthusiastic crowds, including a huge outdoor Mass in Paris believed to have drawn 800,000 people.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the Archbishop of Marseille, reflected on some of the visit’s key moments: An emotional encounter with young people at the Stade de France in Paris, where they were encouraged to commit themselves to the future of France, Europe and the world; the reaffirmation of unconditional support for the inviolable dignity of human life; a deeply moving meeting lasting more than two hours in Lourdes with seven victims of clerical sexual abuse.

“The Pope’s words were awaited, but more than words, people experienced an encounter with a person,” he said.

“I believe that for the French people who came, and even for those who followed the visit on television, the Pope was addressing them personally, with great respect and at the same time with great authenticity.”

It wasn’t only the locals who benefited from the encounter, though, Cardinal Aveline explained.

The Pope was “deeply touched both by the fervour of the young people, by their enthusiasm, and by the hope they carry and communicated”, he said.

“That is where an encounter takes place. The Pope communicates something, but the young people and the crowds who were present also communicate something to him.”

Cardinal Aveline said the various graced moments from the Pope’s visit cannot be wasted.

“The Church in France also received a great deal during these few days. Many seeds were sown,” he said.

“It is up to us to think carefully about how best to water them. The bishop is often a gardener. He must go and water all the seeds, even those that have fallen in places where he did not expect them to fall. That is what we must do now.”

FULL STORY

Cardinal Aveline: French Church will have to ‘water the seeds’ of Pope’s visit (Vatican News)