Pope Leo XIV’s Monumental Visit to Paris

Pope Leo XIV drew a massive crowd to Paris’ Champs-Élysées avenue for an open-air Mass, emphasizing the ongoing influence of the Catholic Church in France despite secular trends. The Vatican reported an attendance of 800,000 people, surpassing the number of pre-registrations, highlighting the church’s enduring presence in a nation known for its secularism.

The American pope welcomed flag-waving supporters with a parade along the grand boulevard to the Place de la Concorde, considered the core of Paris and a symbol of the French Republic. During his homily, he encouraged attendees to share their faith, hoping the Holy Spirit’s influence would spread across France.

The event created a festive atmosphere in central Paris, attracting people from various backgrounds and beliefs. Leo engaged with the crowd, greeting individuals, including many children, as he traveled in the popemobile.

“Pope Leo’s message extends beyond the Catholic community; he addresses social justice,” remarked Leontine Joseph, a Catholic attendee.

In a secular world, Leo encouraged perseverance among French Catholics during his visit, which began with a prayer at the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. His itinerary also included a visit to the Catholic shrine at Lourdes. At the Catholic Institute of Paris, Leo noted the growing number of converts, with adult baptisms tripling since 2016. Despite recent increases, overall baptism numbers remain down from previous decades.

The enthusiasm and diversity of the crowd resembled major national celebrations, such as France’s soccer World Cup victories. Many attendees appreciated Pope Leo’s universal message, as expressed by Thierry Chen, who emphasized the event’s focus on human unity.

Leo ended his four-day visit with Mass at the historically significant Place de la Concorde. The square holds notable historical importance, having been a site of execution during the French Revolution and a contemporary venue for events like the Paris Olympics. While some criticized the choice of venue due to France’s secularism laws, the location was deemed suitable for the large gathering.

Jean-Claude Farnabe, who celebrated his 63rd birthday by attending the Mass, noted an increase in interest in faith among younger generations, with more people attending services.

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