On a sunny Saturday, Pope Leo drew a massive crowd of approximately 700,000 people to an outdoor Mass along the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The event marked the largest gathering of his four-day visit to France. As the Pope made his way through the crowds in an open-top popemobile, chants of "Leo, Leo" and "Long live the Pope" filled the air. The procession stretched from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, a distance of roughly 2 kilometers.
The crowd included several high-profile French figures, such as Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French president, Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and Bernard Arnault, the billionaire chairman of French luxury group LVMH. As the Pope stopped to bless people with disabilities, children, and babies, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and devotion. Many in attendance waved white and yellow Vatican flags, creating a sea of color along the boulevard.
In his sermon, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of seeking happiness through faith rather than material possessions. He told Catholics that only faith could provide true fulfillment, stating, "Only God can fill the emptiness within us." The Pope's message was well-received by many in attendance, including Geraldine Pambou, a 42-year-old woman who welcomed the Pope's emphasis on world peace. "The most important thing is that he emphasizes world peace," she said. "There are too many wars."
The Pope's visit to France comes at a time when the Catholic Church is seeking to restore its standing after a series of abuse scandals caused widespread shock. During his visit, Pope Leo has also spoken out on global issues, including the development of artificial intelligence. On Friday, he warned that the UN and other multilateral organizations were facing a crisis, and he repeated his appeal for the world to reconsider the implications of AI.
For many in attendance, the Pope's message of hope and love resonated deeply. Pierre-Marie Estienne, a 36-year-old man who attended the Mass with his wife and four children, said, "We live in an era of great materialism. There is a lot of evil around us, so we need a message of hope and love." The Pope's visit to France also highlighted the country's complex relationship with Catholicism. Although France is a secular nation with a long history of separating church and state, there has been a recent increase in adult baptisms.
During a visit to the Catholic University of Paris, Pope Leo met with newly baptized Catholics and urged the French Church not to be overly optimistic about the recent increase in adherents. He encouraged them to nurture the "small flame" of faith that had been kindled in the darkness. The Pope's visit to France is set to continue on Sunday, when he will meet with seven French victims of abuse by clergy in Lourdes, a town famous for its Catholic shrine.
The Pope's four-day visit to France is part of a broader effort to engage with people and promote a message of peace and faith. With his emphasis on the importance of faith and his warnings about the dangers of materialism, Pope Leo has drawn large crowds and sparked meaningful conversations. As he continues his visit, it remains to be seen how his message will resonate with the French people and what impact it will have on the country's complex relationship with Catholicism.
Key points
- Pope Leo draws massive crowds in Paris, emphasizing faith and peace during his four-day visit to France.
- The Pope urges Catholics to seek happiness through faith rather than material possessions.
- Pope Leo's visit to France comes at a time when the Catholic Church is seeking to restore its standing after a series of abuse scandals.
