Pope Leo XIV led a massive open-air Mass in Paris, 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. Many senior politicians attended the event, which was a significant display of spirituality in the French capital.
During the Mass, 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 passion for Christianity. The Pope encouraged worshippers not to keep their faith to themselves but to share it with others, saying it should "overflow so that those you meet may be refreshed". His words resonated with the large crowd, which included 80,000 young people who had gathered at the Stade de France earlier in the day.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Pope to France on Friday, but did not attend the open-air Mass to avoid breaching the country's strict separation between Church and state. However, Macron's wife Brigitte and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were among the attendees, along with several candidates for next year's presidential election. Marine Le Pen, Bruno Retailleau, Édouard Philippe, and Gabriel Attal were all spotted at the Place de la Concorde ahead of the event, highlighting the significance of the Pope's visit.
On Saturday, Pope Leo XIV also visited the Maison Bakhita centre, an association supporting refugees, where he met migrants and volunteers. He praised the organisation for highlighting the plight of those who are often "invisible" and stressed the importance of women in building a "civilisation of love". The Pope's visit to the centre underscored his commitment to social issues and his concern for the welfare of vulnerable communities.
Earlier in his visit, Pope Leo XIV issued a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) and the risk of "losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines". He made these remarks to Church and state officials at the Élysée Palace on Friday, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to technological advancements. The Pope's comments reflected his broader concerns about the impact of technology on society and human relationships.
Large crowds are expected to attend the remainder of Pope Leo XIV's trip to France, which is seen as a reflection of growing spirituality among the French and other Europeans. On Sunday, about 150,000 people are expected to attend Mass in the Pyrenean sanctuary of Lourdes, while on Monday, the Pope will pay tribute to Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union and a fervent Catholic who is a candidate for beatification.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955, has a personal connection to France through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Le Havre in Normandy in 1894. Her French heritage and his own family history have contributed to his strong ties with the country, which he has come to visit as the leader of the Catholic Church. The Pope's trip to France is a significant event, marking a moment of spiritual reflection and connection with the French people.
Key points
- The Pope praised young people for their enthusiasm and energy, describing them as "today's Church".
- The open-air Mass in Paris drew an estimated 700,000 people, including many senior politicians and candidates for next year's presidential election.
- Pope Leo XIV warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence, cautioning against "losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines".
