Pope's visit to France stirs debate over immigration, secularism

Pope Francis meets people on the day of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, September 13, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters) - Pope Francis' scheduled visit to France next week has stirred debate in the French political class, with left-wing politicians criticising the president for attending Mass while the far-right objects to the pope's positive views on immigration.

Francis will travel to Marseille, France's second city and a historic gateway for immigrants, where he is expected to send a message of tolerance towards migrants and give his Sunday Mass to an expected 60,000 at the city's famous soccer stadium.