Pope Leo draws vast Paris crowd for open-air mass

Pope Leo celebrated an open-air mass in Paris on Saturday before a crowd the Vatican estimated at about 700,000 people, highlighting the public enthusiasm surrounding his four-day visit to France. The pope travelled along the Champs Elysees in the Popemobile before leading the service at Place de la Concorde. A white canopy served as a temporary altar, while dozens of screens helped worshippers follow the roughly 90-minute ceremony.

The city centre was closed for the event, with helicopters overhead and snipers positioned on rooftops. Worshippers gathered along more than two kilometres, extending beyond the Arc de Triomphe, according to the Vatican. Pope Leo, dressed in white liturgical vestments, told the congregation that it was good for people to come together and glorify God.

Choir and organ music accompanied the service as the sun emerged through grey skies. The trip is the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades. The country is secular but has deep Catholic roots.

Large crowds had also gathered on Friday as the pope travelled towards Notre Dame Cathedral. Earlier on Saturday, Leo met migrants at Maison Bakhita, an association supporting refugees. He said people could meet one another and live together with dignity and peace, and underlined the role of women in building what he called a civilisation of love.

Several presidential hopefuls attended the mass, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Edouard Philippe. President Emmanuel Macron did not attend and was represented by his wife, Brigitte. The pope is scheduled to visit Lourdes later on Saturday and speak on Sunday with seven victims of clerical sexual abuse.

He will travel to Metz on Monday to deliver a speech on peace in Europe.