Pope Leo XIV Draws 800,000 to Paris Mass, Urges Open Sharing of Faith
Pontiff addresses crowds on the Champs-Élysées, emphasizing the importance of faith in an increasingly secular society.
Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 faithful to the heart of Paris on Saturday for a massive open-air Mass, filling the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. The pontiff urged Catholics to openly share their faith in what he described as an "increasingly secularized society."
Flag-waving crowds gathered as the American pope traveled approximately 1.2 miles through central Paris in the popemobile before celebrating the Mass. The Vatican estimated attendance at 800,000, exceeding advance registrations by roughly 200,000 people.
During the service, Pope Leo XIV invoked France's Catholic heritage and called on French Catholics not to keep their faith to themselves, but to let it "overflow" to satisfy the thirst of others for "life, truth, unity, peace, communion, and happiness." He referenced biblical imagery of "living water" and invoked French Catholic saints such as Irenaeus, Martin, and Francis de Sales.
The location of the Mass, Place de la Concorde, holds historical significance as an execution site during the French Revolution and is closely associated with the French republic. The choice of venue drew criticism from some who advocate for strict separation of church and state.
This gathering contrasted with the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, which faced controversy for a tableau featuring drag performers that critics said mocked Christianity. The French Bishops’ Conference had stated that the ceremony included scenes caused hurt and were a "mockery and derision of Christianity."
The pontiff's visit to France coincides with a notable increase in adult conversions, with annual adult baptisms tripling since 2016 to 13,000. However, overall baptisms have declined significantly over a longer period, from 513,000 in 1980 to 186,000 in 2024.
The previous evening, approximately 80,000 young people attended a vigil at France’s national stadium, featuring fireworks and a historical retelling of the country's Catholic history. Pope Leo XIV addressed them, thanking them for their "courage," "presence," and "faith."
The scale of the attendance on the Champs-Élysées rivaled major public celebrations, such as France's World Cup victories in 1998 and 2018.
Pope Leo XIV's four-day trip began Friday with a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, marking the first papal visit to the site since the 2019 fire. He traveled to Lourdes on Saturday night, a significant pilgrimage site for the Catholic Church. His agenda in Paris also included a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and a prayer service at Notre-Dame Cathedral. This trip marks the first papal visit to France since Benedict XVI in 2008.