Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes: A Pilgrimage of Hope and Prayer for Peace

In September 2026, Lourdes welcomed Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic journey to France. His visit brought renewed attention to this much-loved place of pilgrimage, where prayer, compassion and devotion to Our Lady continue to draw people from around the world.

At the heart of the visit was a message that reaches far beyond the sanctuary: carry hope into everyday life, care for one another, and pray for peace.

Prayer at the Grotto of Massabielle

On 26 September, the Pope prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle. Vatican News reported that he entrusted France to the Virgin Mary and asked for the gift of fraternal harmony, remembering also the personal prayers of those who are sick.

The scene reflected something deeply characteristic of Lourdes. Alongside the great public celebrations, there is always room for the quiet, personal prayer: for a loved one, for strength in difficult circumstances, or simply for the courage to keep going.

A message of hope for pilgrims

On 27 September, Pope Leo celebrated Mass in the Prairie of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Vatican's account recorded some 150,000 faithful in attendance.

In its coverage of the Mass, Vatican News described the Pope's encouragement to pilgrims to become missionaries of hope, bringing the consolation of Lourdes back to their homes and communities.

That is a beautiful way to understand pilgrimage. The journey does not end when we leave a holy place. Its meaning continues in the patience, kindness and care we offer to others after we return.

The Rosary and the call for peace

At the Angelus following Mass, the Pope invited Christians to pray the Rosary especially during October, with the intention that wars might cease and peace be established among peoples in conflict.

He also connected prayer with concrete acts of penance and mercy, and with a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. His appeal was not simply to remember peace in our prayers, but to help make room for it in the way we live.

A living tradition of devotion

For those who treasure rosaries, religious medals and other objects of devotion, the visit offers a reminder of their living purpose. Beyond their craftsmanship and history, these objects can accompany prayer and connect generations through shared faith.

An old rosary may carry the traces of years of use, yet its purpose remains wonderfully immediate: to help someone pause, reflect and pray today.

Pope Leo's visit renewed that invitation. Whether we can travel to Lourdes or remember it from afar, its message of hope, compassion and prayer can find a place in our daily lives.

Sources and further reading

Vatican News: In Lourdes, Pope Leo entrusts France to the Virgin Mary
Holy See Press Office: Holy Mass in the Prairie of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Vatican News: You will leave as missionaries of hope
Vatican News: Pray the Rosary in October for peace