Pope Leo XIV makes historic France visit as South Africa celebrates Heritage Day with record barbecue attempt
Pope Leo XIV began a historic state visit to France on Tuesday, marking the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years. The pontiff, who is the first American pope and traces his ancestry to Normandy, will preside over Mass in central Paris, meet with survivors of sexual abuse, and deliver a major address on European unity near the German border.
The last papal state visit to France occurred in 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI traveled to Paris. According to the Bishops' Conference of France, Pope Leo XIV's visit is expected to draw more than 1 million people, with up to 250,000 lining the streets of Paris and 80,000 attending a youth Mass at the Stade de France.
The visit carries particular personal significance for the pope, whose grandmother emigrated from Normandy to the United States more than a century ago and whose father participated in the D-Day landings during World War II. This ancestral connection has led many to characterize the trip as a homecoming for the pontiff.
A key element of the papal itinerary includes a private meeting with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. An independent commission found that approximately 216,000 children were sexually abused by Catholic clergy in France between 1950 and 2020, with the total rising to 330,000 when including victims of individuals with other church connections. The meeting underscores the Church's ongoing efforts to address this crisis and support survivors.
South Africa celebrates Heritage Day with barbecue tradition
Meanwhile in South Africa, thousands gathered at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on September 24 to celebrate Heritage Day and attempt to set a new world record for the most people grilling simultaneously. The attempt involved approximately 500 grilling stations, with participants aiming to surpass the current record of 2,220 people set in Ishigaki City, Japan in 2023.
Heritage Day has been celebrated annually on September 24 since 1995, following South Africa's transition to democracy. The date was originally observed as Shaka Day in KwaZulu-Natal, honoring Zulu King Shaka. After political negotiations following the end of apartheid, the date was retained and expanded into Heritage Day, a national celebration of South Africa's diverse cultural heritage.
The braai, or barbecue, has become synonymous with Heritage Day celebrations. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu became the national spokesperson for National Braai Day in 2007, helping to popularize the tradition of celebrating the holiday by grilling together across cultural lines.
South Africa's record attempt follows a failed effort in 2025, when too many participants left their grilling stations, resulting in disqualification. Under strict Guinness World Records rules, all participants must barbecue simultaneously for a minimum of five minutes, and anyone who leaves their station is disqualified.
The barbecue tradition on Heritage Day has become a unifying practice that brings South Africans of all backgrounds together around shared food and fellowship, embodying the holiday's spirit of celebrating the nation's diversity while building common ground.
