Churches throughout France will ring their bells in unison for seven minutes on Friday, September 25, starting at precisely 10 a.m., to mark the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to the country, organizers have announced.
The official website dedicated to the papal visit described the gesture as “a simple and symbolic act to mark the start of this apostolic journey and allow everyone to participate, wherever they may be.”
Paris to Echo with Bells During Papal Procession
In Paris, the bells will sound again at 5 p.m. as the pontiff travels through the capital’s streets. That hour will mark the conclusion of a one-hour procession in the popemobile, leading to Notre-Dame Cathedral, where the pope will preside over vespers at 5:15 p.m.
The following day, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate an open-air mass at the Place de la Concorde, for which nearly 600,000 people have registered. The celebration is expected to be one of the highlights of the visit.
A Nationwide Tour Through September 28
The pope’s visit to France will extend through September 28, with stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.
- Paris (September 25-26): The pope will visit UNESCO and the Stade de France for an evening vigil with young people, with 80,000 registered participants.
- Lourdes (September 27): A Sunday mass at the sanctuary’s meadow is expected to draw 150,000 people.
- Metz (September 28): Church officials anticipate 40,000 registered attendees through the ticketing system.
The nationwide bell-ringing initiative aims to involve Catholics and non-Catholics alike in the historic occasion, allowing communities far from the pope’s itinerary to feel connected to the events unfolding across the country.
