Pope’s visit to France puts spotlight on EU founding father
Bishop Matthieu Rougé of Metz shares how the upcoming papal visit on September 28, 2026, will shed light on the French statesman and father of Europe.
Hugues Lefèvre
Latest articles by Hugues Lefèvre
Adult Easter baptisms hit a new record in France this year
Over 13,000 adults and 8,000 teens will be baptized in France this Easter, setting a new record, the French Bishops' Conference announced on March 25.
Lebanese have fled, could the Pope bring them back?
“Peacemakers dare to persevere," Pope Leo said. But the problems and dangers are many.
Lebanese fear the return of war after the Pope’s departure
Leo XIV's visit has sparked an outpouring of joy in Lebanon, but Christians there are also afraid that Israel will bomb the south of the country again.
Horses, dances, shows: Lebanese celebrate Leo in the rain
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Beirut on Sunday afternoon after spending four days in Turkey. He traveled part of the route to the presidential palace in Baabda in the popemobile, under torrential rain.
A snapshot of Catholics in Turkey at the Pope’s Mass
On November 29, Pope Leo XIV presided over his only public Mass in Turkey in a large sports hall in Istanbul. Some 3,000 faithful gathered for this celebration
What was at stake in Nicaea, at stake today, is our faith: Pope
In Iznik, the sound of the muezzin gives way to Christian hymns. The pilgrimage to Nicaea, which Pope Francis so wanted to make, has been accomplished.
Pope’s 1st day of 1st trip: From press to politics
Pope Leo XIV began a 6-day trip to Turkey and Lebanon on Thursday. On his first diplomatic stop in Ankara, Leo XIV fully assumed duties as a head of state.
Leo XIV in Turkey: A first major test in the Orthodox world
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Turkey to commemorate the Council of Nicaea with other Christian leaders. This will be his first major test in terms of ecumenism.
Man saved by Foucauld’s intercession makes his Roman reliquary
The carpenter has just taken part in the creation of a reliquary for the new French saint, which will be unveiled in Rome in early February.
Start-up tech company creates stunning images of Christian heritage sites
Iconem specializes in the 3D digitization of heritage sites around the world. Its latest project: the digitization of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Christian unity is also on the Synod’s agenda, with symbols
Sixteen representatives of other Christian churches are taking part in the Synod on Synodality, which is taking place in Rome during October.
Pope Francis’ improvisation that made Luxembourgers smile
At a cultural center in Luxembourg, Francis made authorities and representatives of civil society smile with off-the-cuff comments on the birth rate.
Popes and airplanes: Stories of the unexpected and unusual
Since 1964, all popes have taken this means of transport, and experienced sometimes unusual situations on board. Here are a few memorable papal plane events.
Pope Francis’ crazy gamble: His historic visit to Iraq
In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic and despite precarious security, Pope Francis fulfilled the dream of John Paul II: to set foot on the land of Abraham.
Only 4 fathers of the Second Vatican Council still alive
With the death on July 10 of Archbishop Emeritus Alphonsus Mathias of Bangalore (India), just a handful of fathers of Vatican II (1962-1965) are still alive.
“Bernadette de Lourdes” comes to Rome for the Jubilee of 2025
The musical Bernadette de Lourdes will be performed in Italian in Rome for the Jubilee 2025. A screening took place this week in a cinema in the Eternal City.
The Vatican has a voice in the world of AI
Pope Francis has just released two major texts on the development of artificial intelligence and its consequences, highlighting the risk of dehumanization.
Pope Francis meets with sister of martyred parish priest
Roseline Hamel is the younger sister of Fr. Jacques Hamel, the French priest murdered in his church in 2016 by two Islamist terrorists. Her own testimony is astonishing!
“There is a leader in Jerusalem”: Cardinal Pizzaballa
By offering to take the place of Israeli children held hostage by Hamas, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has raised awareness and taken on new prominence.