French Rafale Fighters Escort Pope Leo XIV’s Plane Over France

Two French Rafale fighter jets escorted Pope Leo XIV’s aircraft on Monday during part of its journey from Lourdes to Metz in eastern France.

The escort formed part of a military plan prepared in advance to provide security for the pontiff’s visit.

Video footage showed the fighters accompanying the papal aircraft in French airspace. Their presence was described as a planned security measure rather than a response to an unexpected incident.

The escort covered a portion of the flight, not the entire route between Lourdes and Metz. No further details were provided about the wider military arrangements for the visit.