Air France has selected female pilot Clémence Coussonneau to captain the flights carrying Pope Leo XIV within France during his upcoming four-day visit to the country.
Coussonneau will be at the controls of an Airbus A321 transporting the Pontiff from Paris to Lourdes on Saturday and subsequently from Lourdes to Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport on Monday.
Pope Leo is expected to arrive in France on Friday for a four-day visit that will include stops in Paris, Lourdes and Metz.
Coussonneau told Agence France-Presse that she learned about the special assignment in mid-July, adding that her selection for the papal flights had been “by chance.”
The pilot said the aircraft would carry 77 members of the Vatican delegation as well as 80 journalists.
“I will welcome the Holy Father at the top of the aircraft stairs for the flight from Orly Airport to Lourdes,” Coussonneau said.
Asked whether she expected to have an opportunity to speak with Pope Leo, the captain said she did not want to “disturb him,” noting that she generally tries not to disturb passengers during flights.
There is, however, one notable exception: young girls interested in aviation. Coussonneau said she always encourages them to consider following in her footsteps.
Her role during the papal visit also highlights the presence of women in professional aviation, a field in which women continue to be significantly underrepresented among pilots.
Source: ANA-MPA, translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
