Air France operated the flights that carried Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican delegation and accredited journalists during the pontiff’s official visit to France from September 26 to 28, 2026.
The flights connected Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport (LDE), Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport (ETZ) and Rome, and were operated under State flight procedures.
According to Air France, this required preparation and coordination well beyond standard operations, with each stage planned together with French authorities, Vatican representatives and airport teams.
Special livery and a temporary name
The aircraft, an Airbus A321, carried a special livery featuring Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms, in line with Vatican protocol. It was also temporarily renamed “Vatican City” for the mission.
Air France said the operation drew on several areas of the airline over a period of weeks, including stopover handling, aircraft preparation, crew coordination, delegation reception, security and protocol.
Before departure on September 26, 2026, Benjamin Smith, Chairman of the Air France Board and Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM, presented the pope with a signed collector’s poster, a reference to the airline’s history of operating pilgrimage and papal flights.
Rafale escort on final leg
On September 28, the final leg of the visit took the pope from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport in southwestern France to Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport in the northeast, near the German border.
The flight, commanded by Captain Clemence Coussonneau, was escorted by two French Rafale fighter jets flying about 50 meters from the A321.
The 71-year-old pontiff, described as an aviation enthusiast, spent about 30 minutes on the flight deck during the cruise phase of the flight.
Co-pilot Eric Marguerite said the pope remained in the cockpit for the entire cruise portion of the Lourdes–Metz sector and spoke informally with the crew, noting his interest in aviation, cars and mechanics.
As the A321 cruised toward Metz with the two Rafale jets holding formation off its wings, the crew handed the radio microphone to the pope. Speaking directly to the fighter pilots from the flight deck, he offered his blessing to them and extended it to all military personnel working to protect people and promote peace around the world.
The pope also greeted the cabin crew on board. Flight attendant Landee Van Keeken told AFP that receiving the blessing in person was a unique moment after the extensive planning behind the flight.
The visit was the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades. It included a large mass in Paris and an event with young people at the Stade de France before concluding in Metz.