Pope Leo XIV addressed a crowd of approximately 700,000 during an outdoor Mass in Paris, where he encouraged attendees to seek happiness through faith rather than material possessions. This event marked the largest gathering of his visit to France, as reported by Gulf Times.
The Mass took place along the iconic Avenue des Champs-Élysées, with chants of “Leo, Leo” and “Long live the Pope” resonating through the air. Pope Leo arrived in an open-top popemobile, frequently stopping to bless individuals, including children and people with disabilities, who were presented to him by volunteers.
Notable figures in attendance included Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French president, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and Bernard Arnault, the chairman of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. The pope expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit France during his whirlwind tour, which aims to restore the Church’s reputation following recent abuse scandals.
In his sermon, Pope Leo emphasized that true happiness can only be found through faith. Attendees like Geraldine Pambou praised the pope for his consistent advocacy for peace, particularly in light of global conflicts. Earlier this year, he faced criticism from US President Donald Trump for his remarks on the Iran war, highlighting his commitment to promoting world peace.
With over 600,000 people registered for the Mass, the Vatican estimated the turnout at around 700,000. During a speech at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, Pope Leo warned that multilateral organizations, including the UN, are facing significant challenges. He also raised concerns about the implications of artificial intelligence, suggesting it could lead to a future dominated by technology.
Attendee Pierre-Marie Estienne noted the current era’s materialism and the need for a hopeful message amidst widespread negativity. France, a secular nation with a long-standing separation of church and state, has seen a decline in Catholic affiliation since World War II, a trend reflected in other traditionally Catholic countries.
Despite a reported increase in adult baptisms, the French Bishops’ Conference acknowledges the challenges ahead, as only 25% of French individuals aged 18 to 49 identify as Catholic, down from 43% a decade ago. During a visit to the Catholic University of Paris, Pope Leo urged the French Church to remain cautious about recent growth in adherents.
Following the Mass, the pope is scheduled to visit Lourdes, where he will meet with seven victims of clergy abuse, continuing his efforts to address the Church’s past and foster healing.
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