Pope Leo draws 800,000 people to central Paris for open-air Mass on iconic square
Also reported by Guardian World
Summary
Pope Leo XIV held an open-air Mass in central Paris, drawing around 800,000 people to the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. His visit showed that the Catholic Church remains influential in France despite fewer regular churchgoers and the country’s secular nature.Key Facts
- About 800,000 people attended the open-air Mass, exceeding the 600,000 who registered beforehand.
- The pope traveled 2 kilometers along the Champs-Élysées in his popemobile before the Mass at Place de la Concorde.
- Pope Leo encouraged people to share their faith and prayed for spiritual renewal in France.
- The event attracted people of different ages, backgrounds, and faiths, including non-Catholics.
- Adult baptisms in France have tripled since 2016, reaching 13,000 in 2024, but overall baptisms have declined since 1980.
- The pope visited Notre Dame cathedral and Lourdes during his four-day trip to France.
- The Mass had a festive and diverse atmosphere, similar to major national celebrations in France.
- Several attendees said the pope’s message addressed social justice and common human values beyond religion.
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