Hundreds of thousands expected in Paris for Pope’s visit

Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a four-day visit to France, culminating in a massive Mass in central Paris where an estimated half a million Catholic faithful are expected to gather. The Pope's itinerary includes stops at the Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, the Élysée Palace, Metz, and Lourdes, with large crowds anticipated at each location.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, as well as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and several presidential candidates, will attend various events during the Pope's visit, though Macron will not be present at any of the Masses to maintain the separation of state and religion. The Pope, originally named Robert Prevost, has a deep connection to France, with his grandmother's family hailing from Le Havre, and the country's complex historical relationship with the Catholic Church.

Despite France's secularization, recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in religious traditions, potentially drawing more people to participate in the Pope's visit.