The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Paris is set to disrupt operations at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, located just steps from Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité, prompting sharp criticism from union representatives who say vulnerable patients are being forced to bear the consequences.
Hospital to Operate at Reduced Capacity During Papal Visit
The hospital will function at a significantly reduced capacity on Friday, September 25, as security measures for the pontiff’s visit transform the island into what Le Parisien described as “an almost hermetic bubble.” The AP-HP public hospital authority confirmed that only unplanned activities—emergency services, mobile emergency units, and psychiatric hospitalization—will be maintained.
“All scheduled activity for that day will be postponed,” the authority stated, adding that affected patients are being informed and offered new appointment dates.
Union Denounces Impact on Patient Care
The CGT union at Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris has voiced strong opposition to the disruptions, arguing that patients with serious conditions are being forced to wait longer for critical diagnostic procedures.
“For his security, they decided to cancel consultations with patients who had been waiting months for these appointments,” said Asdine Aissiou, a union member, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
Carole Matuszczak, the hospital’s CGT general secretary, noted that many affected patients were scheduled for MRIs or CT scans related to serious pathologies.
- Emergency services will be maintained but “essentially redirected to other hospitals,” according to union representatives
- Staff members report being pressured to take leave or use vacation days during the disruption
- Union leaders argue that delayed emergency care poses risks, particularly for stroke patients where rapid treatment is critical
Union Writes Directly to the Pope
In an unusual move, the CGT sent a letter directly to Pope Leo XIV on September 10, appealing to the pontiff to intervene with event organizers.
“We understand the requirements related to organizing and securing your visit,” the union wrote to the “Very Holy Father.” “However, these cannot justify that sick people—particularly the most fragile, for whom public hospitals are sometimes the only recourse—suffer the consequences.”
The letter requested that the pope “intervene with the organizers of your visit so that measures are taken to preserve consultations and continuity of patient care.”
Hospital Authority Defends Decision
AP-HP maintains that the exceptional organization aims to “guarantee continuity and safety of care in a context of strong access constraints to the site.” The authority noted that Hôtel-Dieu has previously operated at reduced capacity during the Olympic Games and the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The pope is scheduled to arrive at Notre-Dame around 5:15 p.m. to preside over vespers with clergy before walking through the cathedral’s forecourt—precisely where the hospital is located. Security forces will be deployed throughout his stay, and both vehicle and river traffic near the Île de la Cité will be restricted.
