Leo the moderate? Pope in France defends EU values

France, historically one of the world's most secular nations, recently appeared to witness a Catholic revival. An estimated 800,000 individuals packed the streets for Pope Leo XIV's outdoor Mass in Paris, according to the Vatican. Beforehand, approximately 80,000 youthful attendees gathered for a vibrant prayer vigil at the Stade de France, the country's national football and rugby stadium.

In the famed healing shrine of Lourdes, crowds thronged with flags and babies as the pope passed in his popemobile. Over 150,000 people turned out for Sunday Mass there. This surge of faith unfolded in a nation where clergy faced public execution during the French Revolution, often by guillotine.

French Ambassador to the Holy See Charles Personnaz characterized the pope's visit as a "very living exchange between the pope and the people of France," emphasizing its appeal to young people to engage for peace and not be fearful of the future. This enthusiastic welcome for the first American pope raised the question of whether faith is making a comeback in France.

Surveys suggest a glimmer of renewed interest. The French bishops conference recorded 21,386 adult and adolescent baptisms during Easter, marking a 28% increase from the previous year and more than triple the baptisms a decade ago. Pope Leo made it a point to publicly visit some of these newly baptized.

Despite France's sizable population of nearly 70 million, a recent national survey revealed that 51% of people aged 18 to 59 claimed no religious affiliation, with only 29% identifying as Catholic. Even more intriguing, the fastest-growing religious category was Christians who did not identify as Catholic, with their share rising from 2.5% to 9% among 18- to 49-year-olds.

Islam also grew from 8% to 11% in the same age group. French laws reflect the dissonance between Catholic teachings and public policies. In 2024, France added a constitutional guarantee for freedom of abortion, while last month it passed a law allowing assisted dying for those with serious, incurable illnesses. Both contradict the Catholic Church's stance on the sanctity of life, a stance Pope Leo denounced during his visit.

Despite these trends, whether they signal a lasting change in church attendance or religious affiliation remains uncertain.