Pope Leo XIV joined an estimated 150,000 pilgrims for a traditional candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France on Sunday (27 September), during the final evening of his visit to the Catholic pilgrimage site.
The procession and Holy Rosary began at the Grotto of Massabielle and continued across the sanctuary’s esplanade toward the Basilica of the Rosary. The Vatican said the event was scheduled for 9 pm local time and formed part of the Pope’s apostolic journey to France.
Leo took part in the procession as a pilgrim rather than observing it from above. In his address, he described himself as a “pilgrim among pilgrims” and reflected on generations of faithful who have travelled to Lourdes in prayer.
The Pope’s appearance at Lourdes also carried a broader message of peace. Earlier on Sunday, following Mass and the Angelus, Leo urged Christians to pray the Rosary throughout October with the intention that wars cease and peace be established among peoples in conflict. He also called for dialogue and reconciliation.
The appeal comes as conflicts and international tensions remain a major theme of Leo’s public engagements. In his remarks during the candlelight procession, he spoke of hope as a light that guides people through difficulties, while Vatican News described the ceremony as the defining moment of his Lourdes visit.
Lourdes is one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage sites. The Vatican says pilgrims have travelled there for more than 150 years, with the sanctuary particularly associated with prayer and the sick. Leo also met with the staff and sick community of the Accueil Notre-Dame centre during his visit.
The Lourdes stop is part of Leo’s 25-28 September apostolic journey to France.
On Monday, he will be in Metz, where he will take part in an interreligious meeting and a gathering titled “To the Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity”, before celebrating Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral and returning to Rome.
The visit to France also includes engagements focused on social support, the Catholic Church in France, European peace and unity, and dialogue between religious communities.
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