On Friday, September 25, at exactly 10:00 a.m., church bells across France are set to ring simultaneously for seven minutes to mark the arrival of Pope Leo XIV.
The bells will coincide with the Pope’s expected arrival at Paris-Orly Airport, as he begins his first visit to France since his election.
Organizers have described the nationwide ringing as “a simple and symbolic gesture” intended to give Catholics — and people more broadly — an opportunity to come together and mark the beginning of the Pope’s apostolic journey, wherever they may be.
The official website for the Pope’s visit confirms that church bells will ring “in unison” across the country.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to remain in France until Monday, September 28, with stops planned in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
In Paris, nearly 600,000 people have registered to attend the Mass he is scheduled to celebrate on Saturday, September 26, at Place de la Concorde.
