Pope Leo XIV celebrates Paris Mass before crowd estimated at 700,000

Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Paris on Saturday before an estimated 700,000 people, according to the Vatican, during the second day of his four-day visit to France. The Pope travelled in the popemobile along the Champs Elysees before reaching Place de la Concorde, where a large white canopy served as a temporary altar. Screens were installed around the site so worshippers could follow the service.

The city centre was closed, with helicopters overhead and security personnel positioned on rooftops. The crowd included families and visitors carrying French and Vatican flags. Several politicians attended, including far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella and former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

President Emmanuel Macron was not expected at the Mass and was represented by his wife, Brigitte. Earlier, Leo visited Maison Bakhita, an association that supports refugees, where he met migrants. He said people could encounter one another and live together with dignity and peace.

He also emphasised what he described as the fundamental role of women in building a civilisation of love. The visit is the first official papal trip to France in nearly two decades. About 300,000 people reportedly gathered on Friday to see the Pope, who also visited Notre Dame Cathedral.

During that day, he spoke about ethics and artificial intelligence and urged France to remain a champion of peace as the war in Ukraine continued. After Paris, Leo is due to travel to Lourdes on Sunday. He is scheduled to meet seven victims of clerical sexual abuse.

A 2021 inquiry found that about 330,000 people had been abused as minors by clergy or lay members of the Church in France over seven decades. The Pope’s final stop is Metz on Monday, where he is expected to deliver a speech about peace in Europe.