Pope Leo draws 800,000 people to central Paris for open-air Mass on iconic square
The turnout testified to the church's lasting influence in France despite declining attendance and secularizing trends that have emptied churches across Europe.
Pope Leo XIV drew a large crowd to central Paris for an open-air Mass. According to France 24, around 700,000 people packed the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde. PBS NewsHour reported a turnout of 800,000 people.
The event was part of the Pope's first official visit to France, a country with deep Catholic roots but also a declining church attendance. The Pope rode in the popemobile along the iconic Champs Elysees, waving to crowds and blessing several babies along the way, as reported by People Daily Kenya and National Post.
The crowd included scouts, nuns, families, and curious onlookers, with some, according to France 24, hoping to spot Canadian singer Céline Dion. The Pope's visit was a significant event, showcasing the enduring influence of the Catholic Church in France, despite secularizing trends.
Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, France 24, People Daily Kenya, National Post, South China Morning Post — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
