France

The Latest

French president Emmanuel Macron.

French president to push social media ban for children under 15

Jun 12, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

French President Emmanuel Macron has joined other European and North American leaders in a call for age verification requirements for... Read more

Young people hold crosses as they arrive for Mass during the traditional Pentecostal pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres, in Sonchamp, near Paris, on June 8, 2025.

Chartres pilgrimage draws 19,000 in show of faith and tradition

Jun 10, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The three-day trek from Paris to Chartres represents a demanding challenge — both physical and spiritual — that continues to... Read more

Eighteen thousand pilgrims make their way to Chartres through the French fields at sunrise during the 2024 Paris to Chartres pilgrimage.

Record 19,000 young Catholics to walk Paris-Chartres pilgrimage amid Vatican scrutiny

Jun 5, 2025

By Bénédicte Cedergren

Organized by the French Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association, the three-day walking journey is set to take place this year from... Read more

An attendee prays the rosary during a demonstration called by the association “La Marche pour la vie” against abortion and euthanasia in Versailles, southwest of Paris, on March 4, 2024.

French bishops condemn passage of euthanasia bill, call for compassionate alternatives

May 31, 2025

By Solène Tadié

The amended version of the law was passed on May 27 with 305 votes in favor and 199 against. Read more

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

French independent abuse authority has compensated nearly 850 victims since 2021

Mar 26, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

France’s National Independent Authority for Recognition and Reparation’s annual report says the organization has resolved 852 cases, with 99% involving... Read more

The Paris public prosecutor’s office announced that, despite serious allegations of abuse, it will not investigate Abbé Pierre, known as a poor priest, because he is no longer alive.

Allegations of abuse: Paris public prosecutor’s office will not investigate Abbé Pierre

Feb 7, 2025

By CNA Deutsch

The Paris public prosecutor’s office has announced that, despite serious allegations of abuse, it will not investigate Abbé Pierre because... Read more

France’s Prime Minister Francois Bayrou attends a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France’s lower house of Parliament, in Paris on Feb. 4, 2025.

French prime minister’s Catholic faith slammed after his decision to split end-of-life bill

Feb 5, 2025

By Solène Tadié

Opponents of the original bill saw it, on the contrary, as a courageous choice that endeavors to respect the plurality... Read more

Pope Francis presides over Mass on Gaudete Sunday on the island of Corsica, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.

Pope Francis praises faith of Catholics in French Corsica

Dec 15, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

During the Dec. 15 trip, the pontiff encouraged the island’s Catholic majority to continue to foster its traditional piety as... Read more

Activist Marguerite Stern poses for a picture in an artist squat in Paris on Sept. 6, 2019.

Radical feminist who desecrated Notre Dame Cathedral apologizes to Catholics

Nov 5, 2024

By Solène Tadié

In a video posted on social media, Marguerite Stern said she believes that by attacking the Catholic religion, she has... Read more

Bishop Dominique Rey (left), and Coadjutor Bishop François Touvet of Fréjus-Toulon, France.

French diocese to hold ordinations after two-year halt by Vatican

Oct 23, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Ordinations were halted by the Vatican in June 2022 following a fraternal visit to the diocese by Archbishop (now Cardinal)... Read more

French Catholic priest Abbé Pierre appears on the TV programm “La Marche du Siecle” in Paris on Dec. 19, 1988.

New abuse allegations against Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre prompt organization name change

Sep 10, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

A Sept. 6 statement released by Emmaus International detailed new allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by Pierre, who founded... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Vatican grants ‘nihil obstat’ to Our Lady of Mercy shrine in France

Aug 30, 2024

By Kristina Millare

On Aug. 22, the Holy See issued a “nihil obstat” (no objection) to the miraculous visions and physical healing of... Read more

Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, Lourdes, France.

French government warns of ‘very high’ terrorist threat on Catholic solemnity

Aug 14, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

According to BFMTV, the French minister of the interior instructed local officials to advise Christian leaders on preventative security measures.  Read more

Katie Ledecky visits students at Stone Ridge of the Sacred Heart School following the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games

‘Strong faith and humility’ mark swimmer Katie Ledecky’s life, her former principal says

Jul 23, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

Those who knew the Maryland native in her youth while she attended Catholic schools describe her as being a bright,... Read more

Abbé Pierre died at the age of 94 in 2007. He is now accused of sexually assaulting and harassing numerous women.

Famous French priest Abbé Pierre accused of sexual assault and harassment

Jul 19, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

The famous French priest, who died in 2007, has now been accused of sexual assault and harassment by at least... Read more

Roman Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paray-le-Monial and cloister. View from the Bourbince River, 2023.

In France, the great Jubilee of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial draws crowds

Jul 18, 2024

By Emma Silvestri

From now until June 27, 2025, the small town of Paray-le-Monial in France will be celebrating a jubilee for the... Read more

Smoke billows from the spire of Rouen Cathedral in Rouen, northern France, on July 11, 2024.

Firefighters quell blaze at French cathedral

Jul 11, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol confirmed the incident on social media, sharing an image showing smoke rising from the cathedral’s spire. Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Vatican sends letter to French embassy over tribunal decision in nun’s dismissal case

Apr 13, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni confirmed to reporters the Vatican’s transmission of a diplomatic message to the French... Read more

null

Report: Society of St. Pius X priest admits to years of sexual misconduct with minors

Apr 11, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“I ask for forgiveness from the victims and deeply regret everything I have done,” the priest said. Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet takes part in the Pontifical Council for Culture's Plenary Assembly on Women's Cultures in Rome on Feb. 6, 2015.

French court sentences Cardinal Ouellet, religious community to fines after expelling nun

Apr 5, 2024

By Zoe Romanowsky

A French court has fined Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, PSS, and others for the wrongful dismissal of Sabine Baudin de... Read more