Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Catholic Mass before an estimated 800,000 people on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The historic gathering marked the first papal visit to France since 2008, drawing flag-waving crowds to the Place de la Concorde as the pontiff urged Catholics to openly share their faith in a secular society. The event highlights a notable moment for the Catholic Church in France amid rising adult baptism numbers.
Why did Pope Leo draw massive crowds in Paris?
Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 people to central Paris because his visit marked the first papal trip to France in nearly two decades. Traveling in the popemobile along the Champs-Élysées, the American pope addressed faithful worshippers at the Place de la Concorde, a historic square that served as a major site during the French Revolution.
What is the significance of the France apostolic journey?
The four-day apostolic journey from September 25 to 28 includes stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, following a Friday visit to the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral after its 2019 fire. Officials noted that the massive turnout coincided with a period where annual adult baptisms in France have tripled since 2016 to reach 13,000 this year.
