Pope Leo XIV has drawn hundreds of thousands of worshippers to central Paris for a major open-air Mass during his four-day visit to France, with large crowds lining the Champs-Élysées to welcome the pontiff.
The Pope travelled beneath the Arc de Triomphe in his popemobile as worshippers waved French flags, raised their phones and chanted “Leo, Leo.” He also stopped at several points along the route to bless babies.
Key Highlights
- Pope Leo XIV attracted hundreds of thousands of worshippers to central Paris.
- More than 500,000 people were expected at the open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde.
- Large crowds gathered along the Champs-Élysées to welcome the Pope.
- Pope Leo stopped to bless babies during his journey through Paris.
- Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were expected at the Mass.
- Pope Leo visited the Maison Bakhita centre supporting migrants and refugees.
- The pontiff highlighted the importance of dignity, peace and social inclusion.
- Pope Leo also warned about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on humanity.
- About 150,000 people are expected at the Pope’s Mass in Lourdes on Sunday.
- The Pope is scheduled to travel to Metz on Monday to honour Robert Schuman.
Pope Leo Celebrates Mass in Central Paris
The open-air Mass was held at the Place de la Concorde, where a special altar was erected for the ceremony.
French authorities had expected more than 500,000 people to attend the major religious gathering, making it one of the largest events of Pope Leo’s four-day visit to France.
Large numbers of worshippers gathered along the Pope’s route through the French capital as he travelled in the popemobile.
The crowds waved French flags and used their mobile phones to record the pontiff’s procession.
Pope Blesses Babies Along Champs-Élysées
Pope Leo also made several stops during his journey to bless babies and interact with worshippers.
The crowd responded with chants of “Leo, Leo” as the pontiff moved through the Champs-Élysées towards the Arc de Triomphe.
The public reception formed part of the Pope’s wider engagement with Catholics and communities during his visit to France.
Macron Misses Pope’s Paris Mass
French President Emmanuel Macron, who met Pope Leo for about an hour on Friday, was not expected to attend any of the Pope’s Masses during the visit.
France maintains a strict separation between the state and religion, although members of the French political establishment were expected to attend the Paris Mass.
Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were expected at the event.
Other prominent politicians expected to attend included Marine Le Pen, Bruno Retailleau, Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal.
Pope Leo Visits Migrant and Refugee Centre
Earlier on Saturday, Pope Leo visited the Maison Bakhita centre, an organisation that supports migrants and refugees.
During the visit, the Pope praised the centre for assisting people who are often overlooked by society.
He said the initiative demonstrated the possibility of people meeting one another and living together with dignity and peace.
Pope Leo also highlighted the role of women in building what he described as a “civilisation of love.”
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Pope Raises Concerns Over Artificial Intelligence
The pontiff has also used his France visit to raise concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Pope Leo warned against the danger of “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines,” urging greater attention to the human consequences of technological development.
His comments add to his growing focus on the social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
Lourdes Mass Expected to Draw 150,000
Pope Leo’s visit to France will continue with a Mass at the sanctuary of Lourdes on Sunday.
About 150,000 people have registered for the religious ceremony, according to organisers.
The Lourdes visit is expected to attract another large gathering as Catholics and pilgrims assemble to see the pontiff.
Pope Leo to Visit Metz
On Monday, Pope Leo is scheduled to travel to Metz in northeastern France.
During the visit, he will pay tribute to Robert Schuman, a founding figure of the European Union and a devout Catholic who is currently a candidate for beatification.
The Pope’s visit to France is combining religious ceremonies with engagements focused on social issues, technology, migration and European history.
Pope Leo XIV Has French Family Roots
Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Prevost in Chicago in 1955 but has French family connections.
His paternal grandmother was born in Le Havre, Normandy, in 1894.
The French roots of the Pope have added a personal dimension to his visit as he engages Catholic communities and French society during his first major trip to the country.
The visit is expected to continue attracting large crowds as Pope Leo proceeds to Lourdes and Metz.
For more on the Mass and the road and transit arrangements around Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées, see this detailed coverage of the Pope’s Paris schedule.
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