French President Macron to meet Pope Leo at the Vatican

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Vatican to meet Pope Pope Leo XIV in their first official encounter since the start of his pontificate. The talks are expected to focus on peace efforts and the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly its impact on Lebanon.

Antonio Denti, Roberto Mignucci, Oriana Boselli/Reuters

10 April 2026 at 09:20:31

French President Emmanuel Macron meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, April 10, 2026.

Vatican Media/Simone Risoluti/Handout via Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Vatican to meet Pope Leo on Friday (April 10) in the first official visit by the French head of state since the beginning of the pontificate of the first American pope in history, who succeeded Pope Francis in May 2025.

One week after the Easter celebrations, during which Pope Leo called on those who "have the power to start wars" to “choose peace,” the two leaders are expected to focus on the conflict in the Middle East and its repercussions, especially on Lebanon, which Leo visited in December.

The meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Leo XIV will provide an opportunity for “in-depth dialogue on peace-related issues and responses to international crises,” Macron's office said.

-Antonio Denti, Roberto Mignucci, Oriana Boselli/Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Friday in the first official visit by a French head of state since the start of the pontificate of the first American pope. The talks are expected to focus on efforts to promote peace and address major international crises, including the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on Lebanon.