Pope Visit Tests French Secularism

France’s principle of laïcité separates state institutions from religion while guaranteeing freedom of belief. Its modern legal foundation is the 1905 law separating churches and the state

Leo’s four-day visit put that balance on public display, combining an official reception by President Emmanuel Macron with huge Catholic gatherings and an open-air Mass in central Paris attended by hundreds of thousands

The boundaries of laïcité became particularly visible around Macron’s participation in religious events. He initially stayed away from the Paris Mass in keeping with French secular convention, but later changed his schedule to attend Leo’s final Mass in Metz

The visit also showed that laïcité does not mean excluding religion from political debate. Leo publicly challenged French policy on assisted dying and other bioethical questions, while Macron defended dialogue between the Republic and religions

Sources: DIE ZEIT⁠, Associated Press⁠, Reuters⁠

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