Pope Leo XIV led a historic open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde in central Paris on September 26, 2026, drawing a massive crowd of approximately 800,000 people. The event marked a significant moment in the pontiff's four-day apostolic journey to France, a country with deep Catholic roots but officially secular. The Mass was held under a giant white canopy serving as a makeshift altar.
The procession to the Mass began with Pope Leo XIV riding through the Champs-Élysées in the "popemobile," waving to the crowds before arriving at Place de la Concorde. The city centre was sealed off for security, with helicopters circling overhead and snipers positioned on rooftops. The event was attended by various notable figures, including presidential hopefuls Marine Le Pen and Edouard Philippe, while President Emmanuel Macron was represented by his wife Brigitte.
In his address during the Mass, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of unity and glorifying God, stating, "It is truly good and pleasant when brothers and sisters come together and glorify the greatness of God." The pontiff was dressed in white liturgical vestments as he led the congregation in prayer. The event was a significant moment for the faithful, with many attendees expressing their joy and reverence for the occasion.
The crowd that gathered for the Mass was diverse, with attendees from various backgrounds and age groups. Aline Riziki, a 41-year-old born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said she had dropped everything to attend the Mass and pray for peace in her homeland. Jeanne de Montagnac, 29, brought her two-year-old daughter, saying, "We're happy that, even if she won't remember it, we're sharing this with her."
Earlier in the day, Pope Leo XIV visited Maison Bakhita, an association supporting refugees, where he met with migrants and emphasized the importance of living together in dignity and peace. He also highlighted the fundamental role of women in building a civilization of love. The visit was seen as a significant moment ahead of the April-May election.
On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to meet with seven victims of clerical sex abuse, a sensitive topic given the 2021 inquiry that found clergy or lay members of the Church had abused about 330,000 people as minors in France over seven decades. The pontiff's visit to France comes seven months before voters choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron.
After celebrating the Mass in Paris, Pope Leo XIV traveled to Lourdes, a southwestern pilgrimage town, where he prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle and performed rituals observed by pilgrims. The pontiff prayed to the Virgin Mary to "obtain for France wise and generous leaders ... eager to serve the common good" and rejecting the mentality of war.
Key points
- 800,000 people attended the open-air Mass in Paris
- Pope Leo XIV emphasized unity and glorifying God during the Mass
- The pontiff's visit comes ahead of the April-May election in France
