Pope Leo XIV's first official visit to France reached its climax on Saturday with an open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde, where the Vatican estimated 600,000 worshippers gathered. The service, which began at 3 p.m., capped a two-day trip that has drawn some of the largest religious crowds seen in Paris in recent decades.
On Friday, the pontiff's motorcade through the capital attracted an estimated 300,000 people, many waving Vatican and French flags. Later that evening, 80,000 young Catholics filled the Stade de France in Saint-Denis for a vigil, underscoring the pope's appeal to a younger generation often seen as drifting from the Church.
A message of hope and solidarity
Among the crowd at the Concorde was Karine, a Parisian of Maronite heritage, who told Euronews: "I am very happy to be here today, to share this wonderful energy we all have together as we come to attend this spectacular mass. For us Maronites, Eastern Christians, it is even more powerful given the current situation. We are going to pray intensely for the Middle East." Her words reflect the pope's broader emphasis on Christian communities in conflict zones, a theme he has championed since his election.
Earlier on Saturday, Pope Leo visited Maison Bakhita, a diocesan association in Paris that supports migrants. There, he met individuals from various backgrounds, including Christians and Muslims, in a gesture that reinforced his longstanding advocacy for the displaced. The visit was seen as a deliberate signal ahead of European debates on migration policy.
The pope also addressed the rising number of baptisms in France during a stop at the Catholic Institute of Paris. Recent statistics show a notable increase in adult conversions, a trend that church leaders attribute to a search for meaning in a secular society. Leo welcomed the development, calling it "a sign of hope for the whole continent."
The French leg of the visit continues with a pilgrimage to Lourdes, where the pope will lead prayers at the Marian shrine. That stop, a key moment for the faithful, is expected to draw tens of thousands of pilgrims to the Pyrenean town.
Leo's trip comes at a time when the Vatican is seeking to strengthen ties with European nations, many of which are grappling with secularism and demographic decline. His reception in France, a country with a strict tradition of laïcité, has been notably warm, with political leaders from across the spectrum welcoming the visit as a moment of national unity.
The pope's itinerary has also been closely watched by diplomats, given the simultaneous state visit of US President Donald Trump to Washington, where he hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping. As Europe watches these global power dynamics, Leo's presence in Paris offers a counterpoint of moral leadership.
Security was tight throughout the visit, with French authorities deploying thousands of police and gendarmes. The successful management of the crowds, however, has been praised by both the Vatican and French officials.
For many Catholics, the pope's visit is a rare moment of collective joy. "We are living history," said one pilgrim from Lyon, who had camped overnight to secure a spot near the altar. "His words give us strength to face the challenges of our time."
As the pope prepares to leave France, the images of vast crowds at the Concorde will likely linger—a reminder that, even in one of Europe's most secular capitals, faith still has the power to mobilize.
