Huge Crowds Gather in Paris as Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Open-Air Mass
US-born Pope Leo XIV drew massive crowds to central Paris for an open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde, marking a central event of his four-day official visit to France. Organisers and Vatican estimates placed attendance between 700,000 and 800,000 worshippers as the pontiff travelled down the Champs-Élysées Avenue in an open-topped vehicle before leading the liturgy. This journey represents the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades, following Pope John Paul II's trip in 2004.
During Saturday's service, Pope Leo praised the energy of young people and met with refugees, while French political figures from across the political spectrum attended the gathering ahead of upcoming presidential elections.
Mass at Place de la Concorde
The papal Mass took place beneath grey skies that cleared as choral and organ music accompanied the service. Dressed in white liturgical vestments, Pope Leo addressed the gathering from a specially erected canopy altar, urging Catholics not to keep their faith isolated.
Attendance figures were widely noted by reporting organisations, with Vatican estimates reaching approximately 800,000 people. Worshippers travelled from various regions, including international visitors who joined the dense crowds stretching toward the Arc de Triomphe.
Political Presence and State Relations
French President Emmanuel Macron met with the Pope on Friday at the Élysée Palace but did not attend Saturday's liturgy or subsequent Masses, adhering to France's strict constitutional separation of Church and state. However, the President was represented by his wife Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Several prominent figures contesting next year's presidential election were also spotted in attendance. Marine Le Pen of the National Rally and conservative Bruno Retailleau joined centrists Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal among the dignitaries observing the ceremony.
Engagement with Refugees and Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Earlier on Saturday, Pope Leo visited the Maison Bakhita refugee support centre, where he met with migrants and volunteers. He commended the organisation for drawing attention to vulnerable populations and emphasized the role of women in fostering community dignity.
Following the Paris engagements, the pontiff travelled to the southwestern sanctuary town of Lourdes. There, he prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle, touching the rock and lighting a candle ahead of scheduled private meetings with victims of clerical abuse and a Sunday Mass expected to draw 150,000 pilgrims.