A crowd of 700,000 people gathered in Paris on Saturday to attend an outdoor mass led by Pope Leo XIV, surpassing initial registration estimates of 600,000. The American pontiff travelled along the Champs-Elysees in his popemobile, greeting throngs of supporters along the 1.9-kilometre (1.2-mile) route. This follows a similarly large turnout on Friday, when roughly 300,000 people gathered as the Pope moved toward the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Vatican estimated that 700,000 people came out in Paris on Saturday, more than the 600,000 who had registered in advance. Cheering throngs from his popemobile as he rode along France’s 1.9 kilometres (1.2 miles) famous avenue, the Champs-Elysees, the American pope greeted flag-waving.
The religious leader is currently on a four-day tour of France, marking the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years. Addressing the scale of the public response, Francois Mabille of the Geopolitical Observatory on Religion noted that there is a level of fervour not seen since the visit of John Paul II over four decades ago.
During his visit, the Pope has addressed complex aspects of French society and governance. He met with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, offering praise for a nation whose diverse origins have strengthened its democracy. However, he also voiced caution regarding advancements in artificial intelligence, warning that a reliance on machines could threaten human nature. He has further challenged France’s recently passed legislation regarding assisted dying.
The visit comes at a sensitive time for the Catholic Church, which is working to rebuild its standing in France. Five years ago, an official inquiry revealed that 330,000 children had been subjected to abuse by clergy and lay members over a 70-year period. In a scheduled step toward addressing this legacy, the Pope is set to travel to Lourdes on Sunday to meet with seven survivors of clerical abuse.
The mass at Place de la Concorde was attended by various political figures, including Marine Le Pen, who is currently polling as a frontrunner for next April’s presidential election. President Macron was absent, with his wife, Brigitte, attending in his stead. The Catholic Church has experienced a steady decline in influence within France’s secular landscape, making the high attendance during this tour a notable development. Far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen was also among the attendees.
