Answer:
The pairing of homologous chromosomes occurs during the first stage of meiosis, known as prophase I. Specifically, during the early stages of prophase I, the homologous chromosomes find each other and come together to form a tetrad, which consists of two pairs of sister chromatids (four chromatids in total). This pairing is also known as synapsis and it allows for the exchange of genetic material between the homologous chromosomes through a process called crossing over.