Pope Leo visits cockpit, speaks to Rafale pilots during France trip

Metz: Pope Leo spent around half an hour in the cockpit of an Air France aircraft this week during the final flight of his four-day visit to France, chatting with the pilots and speaking by radio with Rafale fighter pilots escorting his plane.

The 71-year-old pontiff, who has a keen interest in aviation, cars and mechanics, visited the cockpit during the flight from Lourdes in southwestern France to Metz in the northeast, near the German border.

Eric Marguerite, the co-pilot of the aircraft, said the Pope remained in the cockpit throughout the cruise phase of the Lourdes-Metz flight and engaged the crew in informal conversation.

“He is passionate about aviation, cars and mechanics in general,” Marguerite said after the aircraft landed in Metz.

The flight was commanded by Captain Clemence Coussonneau and was accompanied by two French Rafale fighter jets, which flew about 50 metres from the papal aircraft as part of the security arrangements for the flight.

During his time in the cockpit, Pope Leo was handed a microphone and spoke directly to the pilots of the Rafale aircraft accompanying his plane.

The Pope offered his blessing to the fighter pilots and extended his prayers to military personnel involved in protecting people and promoting peace around the world.

The unusual cockpit visit provided a lighter and more personal moment during the final leg of the pontiff’s first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades.

Pope Leo also took time to greet the Air France cabin crew during the flight. For the flight attendants, the encounter became one of the memorable moments of the journey.

One member of the cabin crew described receiving the Pope’s personal blessing as a unique experience following the detailed preparations involved in operating the special flight.

Throughout his four-day visit, Pope Leo maintained a warm and approachable public presence, frequently engaging directly with crowds and those attending his events.

The pontiff blessed babies, celebrated a large Mass in Paris and met with young people during a major gathering at the Stade de France.

His visit to France was closely followed as an important international journey for the Pope, combining religious ceremonies and public engagements with meetings and interactions with people from different communities.

The cockpit visit added an informal dimension to the trip, reflecting the Pope’s longstanding interest in aviation and mechanics while offering the flight crew and military pilots a rare opportunity to interact with him during an official journey.

After arriving in Metz, Pope Leo continued the final engagements of his apostolic visit before concluding his four-day stay in France.