PoliticsPope Leo XIV’s France visit puts Macron in a diplomatic balancing act

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France is placing President Emmanuel Macron in a delicate diplomatic balancing act. Because the pontiff is both head of the Catholic Church and head of Vatican City State, Macron must carefully navigate France’s secular traditions. The two leaders will not hold a private meeting, officially because of the Pope’s busy schedule, and Macron is not expected to attend religious services during the visit.