Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass before 700,000 in Paris

Pope Leo XIV graced the streets of Paris on Saturday, leading a massive outdoor mass attended by an estimated 700,000 faithful. The 71-year-old pontiff traveled to the French capital via popemobile along the Champs Elysees, drawing cheers from the expansive crowd clutching French and Vatican flags. The mass took place under a giant white canopy at Place de la Concorde, where worshippers followed the service via giant screens.

The city center was sealed off for the event, with helicopters circling overhead and snipers positioned on rooftops. Parents brought pushchairs, and children rode on their shoulders, hoping to catch a glimpse of their revered leader. Suzanne Grange, 62, expressed her joy at seeing Pope John Paul II in Paris in 1980, while her husband Pascal, 65, echoed her sentiment.

The visit comes amid France's presidential election, with far-right leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella in attendance. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was also present, though President Emmanuel Macron did not attend, being represented by his wife Brigitte. The Pope's presence was seen as a significant event for the secular nation, with only around five percent of France's 69 million residents regularly attending Catholic services.