First State Visit in 18 Years: Pope Arrives in France

The Pope has embarked on a state visit to France, marking the first such visit by the head of the Catholic Church to the country in 18 years, according to reports by the Bangkok Post and the Bulgarian outlet Dnevnik.

According to the reports, the tour will last four days and will include stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. During his stay, the Pope is scheduled to address a forum focused on the roots of peace and unity in Europe, as well as visit UNESCO headquarters in the French capital.

The stop at the United Nations cultural agency is a rare occasion, previously undertaken among popes only by John Paul II.