[HIGHLIGHTS] How are foreign priests received in France?

Each year, the conference of bishops of France requests 2,500 visas for foreign clergy in France. The Church in France now uses Fidei Donum priests (gift of Faith in Latin) This name is taken from an encyclical by Pope Pius XII, published in 1959, which authorized bishops to "loan" diocesan priests to respond to missions abroad.

“Between 2000 and 3000 foreign priests are present in France,” underlines Father Élie Delplace, coordinator of a cell which welcomes foreign priests.