Pope Leo XIV leads huge open-air Mass in Paris
Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Saturday. The Vatican estimated that about 700,000 people attended the event. The Mass formed part of the pope's four-day apostolic visit to France.
Pope Leo XIV, described as an American pontiff, is on a four-day apostolic trip to France. On the second day, he traveled roughly two kilometers along the Champs-Élysées in the popemobile before reaching Place de la Concorde for the outdoor liturgy.
The Vatican put attendance at about 700,000, while earlier expectations were around 600,000. Among those present were nuns from Burgundy, a family living near the Arc de Triomphe, and less religious visitors drawn by the atmosphere or hoping to glimpse another celebrity.
The event may strengthen a sense of public visibility and shared identity among French Catholics, especially those who feel their faith is often private. It could also draw curious non-religious Parisians and visitors into a rare mass gathering, while large crowds in central Paris may affect residents and commuters. Its longer-term impact likely depends on whether such visibility translates into broader social engagement beyond the day itself.