Paris prepares for papal visit with 10% boost to regional transport

For the upcoming papal visit, Île-de-France will lift transport provision by approximately 10% on Friday and Saturday, mirroring the support level used during the Olympic Games. An extra 1,300 personnel will be deployed, including 800 security officers and 500 staff to assist and direct the public. The transit authority's app will be modified to show the staggered closure of around a dozen stations along the papal route.

Police prefect Patrice Faure warned that the city will be awash in blue signage as crowds move. Security forces total 14,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers on Friday, dropping to 12,000 on Saturday, while firefighter numbers remain steady. Officials advise commuters to allow extra time for travel planning.