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Pope Leo XIV Set to Visit Lourdes, Welcomed by Enthusiastic Pilgrims
Confirmed
In Short: Organizers and business owners in Lourdes are preparing for the influx of pilgrims. Caroline Trainor, a Lourdes organizer for Joe Walsh Tours, noted a significant increase in sign-ups since the announcement of the pope's visit.
Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Lourdes, France, as part of his official trip to the country, drawing over 150,000 visitors to the site of the Virgin Mary's apparitions to St. Bernadette.
Monsignor Jean-Marc Micas, bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “This visit is, first and foremost, a visit by the Successor of Peter to strengthen his brothers in the faith and to address our society as a whole.”
Organizers and business owners in Lourdes are preparing for the influx of pilgrims. Caroline Trainor, a Lourdes organizer for Joe Walsh Tours, noted a significant increase in sign-ups since the announcement of the pope's visit.
Michael Murphy, who has been coming on pilgrimage to Lourdes for 19 years, and Martin, who has visited for 20 years from Ireland, are among the many pilgrims looking forward to the event.
Bernadette, a local business owner, told EWTN News, “Everybody increased their prices… We made a huge effort to welcome individuals, because usually it's mostly big dioceses… but this event made more individuals come and that's a completely different type of business.”
The Lourdes Shrine confirmed that 150,000 of the faithful will be in attendance for Pope Leo XIV’s visit, with millions more tuning in via television and radio.
The major ceremonies will require pre-registration, as the sanctuary will not allow entry to those without tickets. Additionally, the hotel where Pope Leo XIV will stay is in the red area, accessible only by foot.
The pope will fly to Lourdes after celebrating Mass in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Organizers face challenges, such as pilgrims who had already planned their trips before the pope's visit announcement and now need to secure tickets.
Pope Leo XIV's visit marks the first official papal visit to France since 2008, and it is expected to be a significant event for the Catholic community.
Background
Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes ordered the complete covering of Father Marko Rupnik's mosaics ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lourdes on September 26.
In preparation for Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lourdes, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas ordered the complete covering of Father Marko Rupnik's mosaics, which were partially covered earlier this year.
What's confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Lourdes, France, as part of his official trip to the country, drawing over 150,000 visitors to the site of the Virgin Mary's apparitions to St. Bernadette.
- Organizers and business owners in Lourdes are preparing for the influx of pilgrims. Caroline Trainor, a Lourdes organizer for Joe Walsh Tours, noted a significant increase in sign-ups since the announcement of the pope's visit.
- Michael Murphy, who has been coming on pilgrimage to Lourdes for 19 years, and Martin, who has visited for 20 years from Ireland, are among the many pilgrims looking forward to the event.
- The Lourdes Shrine confirmed that 150,000 of the faithful will be in attendance for Pope Leo XIV’s visit, with millions more tuning in via television and radio.
- The major ceremonies will require pre-registration, as the sanctuary will not allow entry to those without tickets. Additionally, the hotel where Pope Leo XIV will stay is in the red area, accessible only by foot.
- The pope will fly to Lourdes after celebrating Mass in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
- Organizers face challenges, such as pilgrims who had already planned their trips before the pope's visit announcement and now need to secure tickets.
- Pope Leo XIV's visit marks the first official papal visit to France since 2008, and it is expected to be a significant event for the Catholic community.
What's still developing
- “What I think is very important is the enthusiasm of people. A lot of people have been calling us saying even if they couldnʼt come, they were so happy for the pope to come to Lourdes, to reveal more about the message of Our Lady to Bernadette,” he told EWTN News.
- “The biggest challenge is the people who organized the pilgrimage before they knew the pope was coming. There are a lot of people who donʼt have their ticket,” he said.
- “When they heard that the pope was visiting, they were signing up to come back to be here over the weekend,” she said.
- As Pope Leo XIV makes his way to Lourdes later on Sept.
- In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI visited, which Tedesco recalls.
- (ZENIT News / Rome, 09.14.2026).- When Pope Leo XIV arrives in Lourdes later this month, one of the most striking features of the sanctuary will be something visitors cannot see.
- In recent weeks, preparations have continued at the venue to welcome the pontiff, including permanent improvements that will remain in place after the pope’s departure.