Pope Leo XIV led a massive open-air Mass in Paris on Saturday, drawing an estimated 700,000 people to the Place de la Concorde. The event was part of his four-day visit to France, which began on Friday. The Pope rode down the Champs-Élysées Avenue in his open-topped popemobile, waving to crowds before celebrating the Mass from a special altar.
During his speech, Pope Leo XIV praised young people for their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to the Catholic Church. He described them as "today's Church" and expressed his joy at seeing their dedication to Christian communities. The Pope encouraged worshippers not to keep their faith to themselves but to share it with others, saying, "let it overflow so that those you meet may be refreshed".
Several high-profile politicians attended the Mass, including French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron himself did not attend the event, nor will he attend any of the Pope's Masses during his visit, due to France's strict rules on the separation of Church and state. Marine Le Pen, Bruno Retailleau, Édouard Philippe, and Gabriel Attal were also in attendance.
On Friday, Pope Leo XIV met with President Macron at the Élysée Palace, where he issued a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). He cautioned against "losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines" in wide-ranging remarks to Church and state officials. The Pope has also visited the Maison Bakhita centre, an association supporting refugees, where he praised the organisation for highlighting the plight of invisible people.
The Pope's visit to France is expected to draw large crowds, reflecting a growing spirituality among the French and other Europeans. On Saturday evening, he flew to the south-western town of Lourdes, where he prayed at its famous sanctuary. On Sunday, he will celebrate a Mass at Lourdes, which 150,000 people have signed up to attend.
On Monday, Pope Leo XIV will visit the north-eastern city of Metz to pay tribute to Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union and a fervent Catholic who is a candidate for beatification. Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV was originally called Robert Prevost – a French name. His paternal grandmother was born in Le Havre in Normandy in 1894.
The Pope's four-day visit to France will conclude after his event in Metz. His trip has been marked by high-profile meetings and large crowds. The Church believes that the visit reflects a growing interest in spirituality among Europeans.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV praises young people's energy and commitment to the Catholic Church during open-air Mass in Paris.
- The Pope warns about the dangers of artificial intelligence during his visit to France.
- Large crowds are expected throughout the remainder of the Pope's trip, reflecting a growing spirituality among Europeans.
