Will King Charles leave France before Pope Francis arrives?
King Charles and the Queen will pay a state visit to France, from Wednesday September 20 to Friday September 22, 2023.
The visit will celebrate the UK’s relationship with France, representing the shared history, culture and values between the two countries.
Their Majesties will travel to France on Wednesday September 20 and leave on Friday the 22nd where they will hold meetings in Paris and Bordeaux.
Furthermore, French President Emmanuel Macron will attend a Catholic mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Marseille next week, the presidency of the Elysée announced on Thursday.
Francis is expected to arrive in Marseille on September 22 and plans to deliver a speech in front of the historic Notre-Dame de la Garde church, where he will pay tribute to migrants lost at sea while trying to reach Europe.
The question of Macron’s participation in the September 23 mass at the Vélodrome stadium in the Mediterranean city has sparked controversy in ultra-secular France, where in recent weeks it has pushed the government to ban the wearing of the abaya worn by some Muslim women in schools.
A presidential official, who requested anonymity, said the mass would be a “popular” and “festive” event.
The official said the separation of church and state in France “in no way prevents the Republic from maintaining relations with all religions.”
2023-09-14 23:10:27
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