Pope Leo XIV Draws Hundreds of Thousands to Central Paris for Open-Air Mass
Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 people to central Paris on Saturday for a massive open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde, according to Vatican figures that far exceeded initial registration counts. The turnout underscores the enduring public reach of the Catholic Church in France, even as the nation experiences declining church attendance and long-term secularizing trends.
The American pope traveled a two-kilometer route along the Champs-Élysées aboard the popemobile, greeting cheering, flag-waving crowds that included families lifting babies for a blessing. The Saturday morning service marked a central moment in Leo’s four-day visit to France, which began Friday with a prayer at the restored Notre Dame cathedral following its devastating 2019 fire.
Addressing Secularism and the Revival of New Converts
During a Saturday morning address at the Catholic Institute of Paris, Pope Leo addressed the challenges facing believers in contemporary European society. He said that he was surprised by the rising number of adult converts in recent years, urging the church to nurture these new communities.
“We must recognize, welcome and protect the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night, the tiny seed that strives to grow even amid the thorns,” Leo said at the institute.
According to statistics, adult baptisms in France have tripled since 2016, reaching 13,000 this year. However, statistics and experts show this recent uptick does not reverse a downward trend. Records indicate that annual baptisms in France dropped from 513,000 in 1980 to 186,000 by 2024.
During his homily at the Place de la Concorde, Leo called on the congregation to share their beliefs outwardly.
“From this beautiful city of Paris, I pray fervently that the living water of the Holy Spirit may flow throughout France,” he told the masses.
A Diverse Crowd at a Historic Republic Site
The choice of the Place de la Concorde for the Mass drew scrutiny from advocates of France’s strict 1905 law enforcing the separation of church and state in public life. Critics argued that the historic square—noted as an execution site during the French Revolution where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were guillotined, and traditionally the stage for Bastille Day celebrations—should remain strictly secular. Organizers defended the location, stating it was the only area in central Paris capable of accommodating the massive crowds.
Despite the venue’s secular significance, the audience spanned diverse backgrounds, including individuals of various faiths and those with no religious affiliation.
“The message of Pope Leo goes well beyond Catholic people; he speaks about social justice, for example,” said Leontine Joseph, a 42-year-old Catholic who attended the service with two friends of Moroccan origin raised in Muslim culture.
Thierry Chen, a 40-year-old Parisian startup entrepreneur who is not Catholic, also attended the gathering. “People are seeing a lot of really terrible images. This kind of event reminds people of what is really important in life,” Chen said. “You see a lot of different people here, so it’s not just about one race, religion or nation, but about a common belief in humankind.”
Comparison of Turnout and Continuing Tour
The scale of the weekend gatherings in Paris drew comparisons to major secular events in France, such as the massive street celebrations on the Champs-Élysées following the French national soccer team’s World Cup victories in 1998 and 2018.
The Pope’s itinerary also included a Friday night youth vigil at the national stadium, where approximately 80,000 young people attended a theatrical retelling of French Catholic history accompanied by fireworks.
“Thank you for your courage! Thank you for your presence,” Leo told the crowd at the stadium. “Thank you for your faith. You are the saints of France!”
Following the events in Paris, Pope Leo traveled on Saturday evening to Lourdes in southern France, visiting one of the Catholic Church’s most-visited shrines before concluding his multi-day itinerary.
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