In brief
Pope Leo XIV drew a record crowd in Paris for an open‑air Mass on the Champs‑Élysées, moving past the Arc de Triomphe in his popemobile and blessing fans along the route. The event, held beside a special altar on Place de la Concorde, attracted political figures, from Macron’s wife to leading presidential contenders, underscoring the intersection of religion and politics in France. Pope Leo also used the occasion to address migration, listening to refugees at Maison Bakhita and reminding listeners of the need to live with dignity. While he cautioned against losing humanity amid technological advances, he praised women’s role in building a “civilisation of love.” The mass showcased growing spirituality across Europe and set the stage for the remainder of his four‑day visit.
Hundreds of thousands gathered on the Champs‑Élysées for an open‑air Mass led by Pope Leo XIV, his first rally in France and a highlight of a four‑day pilgrimage. The pontiff rode his popemobile past the Arc de Triomphe, pausing to bless fans and blessing several babies as he moved down the avenue, while chants of the title “Leo” reverberated beneath the historic monument.
The event took place beside a specially built altar on Place de la Concorde, expecting to host more than half a million participants, a figure that reflects a noticeable uptick in public religious enthusiasm across Europe. Political leaders joined the crowd: Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were present, while several candidates for next year’s presidential race—including Marine Le Pen and the former prime minister Frédéric Fillon—were also expected at the podium.
Pope Leo expanded his tour with a brief meeting at Maison Bakhita, a centre that supports refugees, where he welcomed the work of the organisation and praised the visibility it brings to the invisible members of society. The message was one of dignity, peace and coexistence.
Earlier in his French visit, the pope had warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence, urging that people avoid “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines.” This caution came directly after a meeting at the Élysée Palace, where he also highlighted the fundamental role of women in building a civilisation of love.
Following the Paris mass, the pope will continue his itinerary, including a stop in Metz to honour the legacy of Robert Schuman, a founding figure of the European Union whose Catholic faith is under consideration for beatification. The visit overall illustrates the intersection of faith, public life, and European identity in a rapidly changing world.
