Pope Leo XIV's first official visit to France in 18 years drew an estimated 700,000 people to central Paris. The massive crowd gathered at Concorde Square for an open-air mass presided over by the pontiff on 26/9, a key event in his four-day tour.
Along the two-kilometer route on the Champs-Elysees avenue leading to Concorde Square, a huge crowd cheered and waved flags. The Vatican estimated the attendance at 700,000, significantly surpassing the 600,000 who registered beforehand. Despite strict security measures leading to a lockdown of central Paris, a festive atmosphere prevailed, attracting not only Catholics but also followers of other religions and atheists. Dozens of babies and young children received blessings from Pope Leo XIV as his vehicle slowly moved through the enthusiastic crowd.
The large turnout demonstrates the Catholic Church's lasting influence in France, even as church attendance has declined in recent decades and many European churches have seen fewer congregants due to secularization trends. In his sermon, Pope Leo XIV urged believers not to keep their faith to themselves, but instead to share it with everyone. "From this beautiful city of Paris, I earnestly pray that the sacred waters of the Holy Spirit will spread throughout France," he stated during the mass.
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The motorcade carrying Pope Leo XIV passes through the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France on 26/9. *Photo: AP* |
Many attendees were not Catholic, yet they came to hear the Pope's message. Leontine Joseph, 42, attended the ceremony with two Moroccan friends who grew up in an Islamic culture. She shared, "Pope Leo XIV's message is not only for Catholics; he also speaks about social justice." Thierry Chen, a 40-year-old businessman, observed, "People are witnessing many terrible things, and events like this remind us of what is truly important in life." Sylvane Le Goff, 68, brought her two grandchildren, 10 and 12, to the ceremony "to give them unforgettable memories." She explained, "It's not just about seeing the Pope, but also listening to his message of peace and solidarity, values I want to share with my grandchildren."
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Pope Leo XIV waves to faithful in Paris, France on 26/9. *Photo: AP* |
Pope Leo XIV's four-day visit to France began on 25/9 with a prayer at Notre Dame Cathedral. This marks the first time a Pope has visited the cathedral since the 2019 fire severely damaged the structure. During his visit to the Catholic Institute of Paris on 26/9, Pope Leo XIV expressed surprise at the number of new converts. Following his time in Paris, he will travel to pray at the sanctuary in Lourdes, a town in southern France.
Nguyen Tien (According to AP, Reuters)
