Pope Leo XIV drew hundreds of thousands of worshippers to an open-air mass in Paris on Saturday, marking a key moment in his four-day visit to France, the first official papal trip to the country in nearly 20 years. The 71-year-old pontiff led the service at Place de la Concorde, where a large white canopy had been erected to serve as an altar, accompanied by choral and organ music. The event attracted approximately 800,000 faithful who gathered along more than two kilometers, extending beyond the Arc de Triomphe, according to the Vatican.
The pope’s procession along the iconic Champs Elysees in the popemobile was met with enthusiastic crowds waving French and Vatican flags. Security measures included a sealed-off city center, helicopters patrolling overhead, and snipers positioned on rooftops. Attendees expressed a mix of spiritual devotion and personal significance; some traveled long distances and brought families to share the experience.
During the mass, Pope Leo emphasized the beauty of communal worship, stating it was “good and pleasant when brothers and sisters come together and glorify the greatness of God.” He also addressed broader social issues earlier in the day, meeting with migrants at Maison Bakhita, a refugee support organization, where he highlighted the possibility of living “together in dignity and peace” and praised the essential role of women in fostering a “civilisation of love.”
The pope’s visit coincides with France’s approaching presidential election, scheduled for April-May next year, during which far-right parties have gained traction. Several presidential candidates, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Edouard Philippe, attended the mass, while President Emmanuel Macron was represented by his wife, Brigitte.
Pope Leo’s itinerary includes further engagements, such as a visit to Lourdes on Saturday evening, a renowned pilgrimage site in southwestern France, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1858. On Sunday, he plans to meet with seven victims of clerical sexual abuse, an issue that has deeply affected the French Catholic Church. A 2021 investigation revealed that approximately 330,000 minors were abused by clergy or church affiliates in France over several decades.
On Monday, the pope will conclude his trip with a speech in Metz focused on peace in Europe. Throughout his visit, Pope Leo has urged ethical reflection in the face of technological advances and emphasized France’s role as a “tireless champion of peace,” particularly as the conflict in Ukraine enters its fifth year. Observers noted a renewed sense of religious fervor comparable to the atmosphere surrounding Pope John Paul II’s papal visits to France in the 1980s.