French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Vatican on Thursday for his first official visit since Leo XIV became pope last year. The two leaders are expected to discuss the war in the Middle East and the situation for the region’s Christians, as well as France’s attempts to legalise assisted dying.
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Macron will hold talks with Pope Leo on Friday morning, after spending Thursday evening meeting members of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic charity and peace organisation.
They will be the first in-person discussions between the two since Leo took office last May.
Events in the Middle East are expected to dominate. Both Macron and the Pope have welcomed the ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran, intended to halt fighting for two weeks while further negotiations take place.
However, Israel has continued strikes on Lebanon, home to one of the largest Christian minorities in the Middle East.
Lebanon is a particular concern for both France and the Vatican, Macron’s office said in a statement announcing the trip at the beginning of the month. Gaza, Syria and the situation for Christians in the Middle East are also on the agenda, it said.
The talks are an opportunity to reiterate a shared commitment to “peace, dialogue and solidarity among peoples”, according to the Elysée.
Why Lebanon’s Christians wield power greater than their numbers
‘End of life’ debate
Catholic commentators have also speculated that Pope Leo will raise the subject of France’s assisted dying law, which would allow terminally ill people to seek help ending their lives under certain conditions.
Macron’s government supports the “end of life” bill and he has indicated he may call a referendum if parliament fails to approve it.
Catholic leaders have joined other religious figures in publicly voicing their objections.
‘My life, my death’: French woman battles for right to die with dignity
The two-day visit to the Vatican is Macron’s first since 2022, and his fourth since becoming president in 2017. Originally planned for late 2025, it has twice been pushed back.
Macron last met Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, during the pontiff’s visit to the French island of Corsica at the end of 2024.
The president’s office has not yet confirmed when Pope Leo will be invited to France. According to protocol, the pontiff avoids visiting countries in the run-up to elections, which are due to take place in France in 2027.
Pope Leo begins a tour of four African countries this month, starting in Algeria on 13 April.
