The Vatican reported that approximately 800,000 people attended Pope Leo XIV's outdoor Mass in Paris on Saturday, surpassing the 600,000 who had registered in advance. The pope, during his four-day tour of France, greeted attendees from his popemobile along the Champs-Elysees, a famous avenue stretching 1.9 km (1.2 miles). He encouraged the crowd to share their faith, stating, "let it overflow, so that those you meet may be refreshed and their thirst satisfied." He also prayed for the Holy Spirit's influence to spread throughout France.
The event featured a significant security presence, leading to traffic shutdowns in central Paris, but the atmosphere remained celebratory, with attendees of various faiths, including families with young children. Leontine Joseph, a 42-year-old Catholic attendee, noted that Pope Leo's message extends beyond Catholicism, addressing issues such as social justice.
French President Emmanuel Macron was represented by his wife, Brigitte, while far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was also present. The pope's visit comes five years after a report revealed that 330,000 children were abused by clergy and lay members of the Church in France over several decades. He is also addressing France's recent law permitting assisted dying.
The pope's four-day tour, the first official papal visit to France in 18 years, began with his arrival and prayer at the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, marking the first papal visit since the cathedral's fire in 2019. On Friday, an estimated 300,000 people attended his appearance at Notre Dame.
Francois Mabille, director of the Geopolitical Observatory on Religion, remarked on the fervor surrounding the pope's visit, likening it to the enthusiasm seen during John Paul II's visits. The pope met with Macron on Friday and delivered a speech at the Elysee Palace, praising the diversity of French society and warning against the potential dehumanizing effects of artificial intelligence.