Hundreds of thousands gathered at Paris’ Champs-Élysées for an open-air Mass led by Pope Leo XIV on Saturday. The Vatican estimated 800,000 attendees, surpassing expectations. This highlights the Catholic Church’s continued influence in France, a country known for its secular stance. Despite declining church attendance in Europe, the event underscored the church’s significant presence.
Pope Leo greeted the enthusiastic crowd during a 1.2-mile parade along the iconic avenue leading to Place de la Concorde. In his homily, he encouraged sharing faith with others. “Let your faith overflow,” he urged, hoping for the Holy Spirit’s influence throughout France. Despite security measures, the atmosphere was lively, drawing people of various faiths. Many brought children to receive blessings from the Pope.
Attendees included Leontine Joseph, who emphasized the Pope’s wider message of social justice. Pope Leo’s visit encouraged Catholics to persevere against secular trends. He noted an increase in new converts in France, with adult baptisms tripling since 2016, reaching 13,000 this year. However, overall baptisms have declined, from 513,000 in 1980 to 186,000 in 2024.
The event attracted diverse participants, akin to celebrations of France’s World Cup wins. Thierry Chen, among the non-Catholics attending, remarked on the event’s universal appeal. Sylvane Le Goff, present with her grandchildren, valued the Pope’s message of peace and unity.
On Friday, Pope Leo participated in a vigil attended by 80,000 young people. He expressed gratitude to them, recognizing their faith and presence. At Place de la Concorde, a historical site, the Mass marked a new chapter. Traditionally, the site hosts Bastille Day celebrations. It was also used for the 2024 Paris Olympics. While some criticized using this venue due to its republican significance, others embraced its spaciousness to accommodate the large gathering.
Jean-Claude Farnabe, a lifelong Catholic, celebrated his 63rd birthday by attending the Mass. He noted a rise in religious interest among young people. The Associated Press’ religion coverage, funded through collaboration with The Conversation US, reinforces the importance of free press and civil dialogue.
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