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Pope Leo XIV's France visit puts Macron in diplomatic balancing act

Pope Leo XIV's visit to France is forcing Emmanuel Macron into a delicate diplomatic balancing act. As both the head of the Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican City State, the pontiff requires the French president to navigate the country's secular traditions carefully. There will be no private meeting between the two leaders — officially because of the Pope's packed schedule — and Macron is not expected to attend any of the religious services during the visit. FRANCE 24's Rochelle Ferguson has the details.

Politics

Pope Leo XIV's Paris agenda includes Macron meeting and Notre-Dame visit

Paris is making final preparations for Pope Leo XIV's first official visit to the French capital in 18 years, with volunteers welcoming crowds ahead of his four-day trip. His programme includes meetings with President Emmanuel Macron and UNESCO, a popemobile procession, a prayer service at Notre-Dame, a youth vigil at the Stade de France, and a mass at Place de la Concorde expected to draw up to one million people before he continues to Lourdes and Metz.

Weather

Weatherwatch: How the weather affected early flight record attempts

A century ago, René Fonck tried and failed to cross the Atlantic despite having clear weather In September 1926, the French pilot René Fonck set out on a daring attempt to make the first crossing from New York to Paris in an aircraft, piloting a custom-built Sikorsky S-35. John Alcock and Arthur Brown had flown the shorter distance from Newfoundland, Canada, to County Galway, Ireland, seven years earlier. That was in June, when good weather was expected, but the aviators encountered dense fog and freezing temperatures in an eventful but successful flight. Continue reading...

Politics

Macron says 'CIA did not ​inform French services' of possible Russian drone attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday denied a report by Spanish newspaper El Mundo that the US Central Intelligence Agency had warned European governments of possible Russian drone attacks from the Mediterranean. He also said in a primetime TV interview that France will send troops and defence systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.

World

How do the French feel about religion?

Amid the enthusiasm over the first papal visit to France in 18 years, we take a deep dive into religion in France. We try to answer the question, "How do the French feel about religion?" From its Catholic heritage to laïcité, or secularism, we break down the statistics on the French people's relationship to faith.

Politics

The French Senate: Old, expensive and out of touch or necessary safeguard to democracy?

France is gearing up for an election this Sunday, September 27 to renew just about half of the Senate's 348 red velvet seats. The French parliament is the country's bicameral legislature. The lower house (the National Assembly) tends to overshadow the upper house (the Senate). So what does the Senate actually do? Is it a powerful protector of the regions or a retirement club for old, mostly male politicians? We take a closer look in French Connections.

World

Huge security operation underway for Pope's visit to France

Hundreds of thousands of the faithful and visitors are expected in Paris this weekend as Pope Leo XIV visits the French capital, marking the first papal visit to the country since 2008. France has pulled out all the stops to welcome the pontiff over the two-day visit in the capital and security forces are ensuring maximum protection with some 14,000 police officers, gendarmes, and soldiers mobilized across the capital.

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Politics

How US players are reshaping France and the continent

In this edition we welcome CNN's correspondent in France, Melissa Bell. Melissa is the author of "Sous l'influence americaine", an investigation into American interference in France and Europe. She tells us about the ways in which American interference is being felt in Europe and France and what we should expect during the 2027 French presidential election campaign.

Politics

French government scales up targeted fuel price relief

Under pressure to help businesses and workers cope with soaring fuel prices, the French government has announced it will expand targeted energy relief for those most affected. The new measures will cost €450 million, bringing the total so far to €1.4 billion. Meanwhile, as French President Emmanuel Macron calls for allowing more biofuels to be added to diesel, we speak to an expert about the potential environmental impact of a rapid ramp-up in biofuel use.

Politics

UNGA: Leaders gather as General Assembly kicks off

World leaders have begun gathering in New York for the UN General Assembly. US President Trump will address the body on Tuesday, as will his Finnish, French and Turkish counterparts. Follow DW for the latest.

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World

French farmers turn to tropical crops amid rising temperatures

In the south of France, climate change is reshaping the region’s fruit production. Rather than fighting against it, a growing number of farmers are learning how to work with it – turning to tropical crops, now well-suited to the local climate. Bananas, papaya and even dragon fruit are being grown in greenhouses but also in open fields, without heating or pesticides. Our Down to Earth team reports.

Topic: French | RocksNews