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Hundreds of thousands of Catholic worshippers filled the heart of Paris on Saturday as Pope Leo XIV celebrated a vast open-air Mass in the French capital, in one of the most significant papal gatherings the city has witnessed in recent memory. Crowds lined the Champs-Élysées Avenue beneath the Arc de Triomphe, cheering and waving as the pontiff travelled along the iconic boulevard in his popemobile, according to the BBC.
Organisers estimate that more than half a million people are expected to take part in the event, which has been staged on the Place de la Concorde. A special altar was constructed on the square specifically for the ceremony, transforming one of Paris's most famous public spaces into a temporary place of worship.
The atmosphere along the avenue was exuberant, with chants of "Leo, Leo" ringing out as the Pope made his way through the crowds. At several points along the route, the head of the Catholic Church paused to bless babies, a gesture that appeared to delight onlookers who had gathered hours in advance to secure a glimpse of him.
Many in the crowd held French flags aloft and wore white hats and yellow clothing, creating a striking visual spectacle against the backdrop of one of the world's most recognisable streets. Large scaffolding structures fitted with screens were erected along the route so that those further from the altar could follow the proceedings.
The visit has drawn attention not only for its religious significance but also for its political dimensions. French President Emmanuel Macron met the Pope for an hour of talks on Friday but will not attend any of the Masses during the four-day visit. The decision is largely understood as an effort to respect France's strict constitutional separation between state and religion, a principle known as laïcité that has shaped French public life for more than a century.
Although Macron will remain absent from the religious ceremonies, his wife Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were both present at the Champs-Élysées Mass. Their attendance underscores the delicate balance French leaders must strike between acknowledging the country's Catholic heritage and maintaining the secular character of the state.
The event also attracted a notable cross-section of French political figures, with several candidates for next year's presidential election expected among the congregation. Marine Le Pen of the hard-right National Rally party and conservative Bruno Retailleau were both photographed at the Place de la Concorde ahead of the ceremony. Centrist figures Edouard Philippe, the Mayor of Le Havre and a former prime minister, and Gabriel Attal were also due to attend, while former Prime Minister François Fillon was seen at the square as well. The presence of so many prominent politicians suggests the Pope's visit carries weight beyond the spiritual realm, resonating in a country preparing for a pivotal electoral contest.
Earlier on Saturday, before the main Mass, the Pope visited the Maison Bakhita centre, an association that supports refugees and migrants. There he met with migrants and commended the organisation for inviting people "to see those who are invisible" — a message that echoed his broader calls for compassion and inclusion.
During that visit, Leo reflected on the possibility of coexistence, stating that it was "possible to encounter one another and to live together in dignity and peace." He also emphasised what he described as "the fundamental role of women in building a civilisation of love," drawing attention to the contributions of women in fostering social cohesion and care.
The Pope's engagement with social issues has been a recurring theme of the trip. On Friday, at the outset of his visit to France, he issued a warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence during wide-ranging remarks delivered to Church and state officials at the Élysée Palace. He cautioned against "losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines," a phrase that has resonated amid growing global debate over the ethical boundaries of rapid technological advancement.
The scale of the turnout in Paris is being interpreted by Church leaders as evidence of a renewed spiritual appetite among the French and other Europeans. Large crowds are anticipated throughout the pontiff's journey, which continues with a Mass in the Pyrenean sanctuary of Lourdes on Sunday, where 150,000 people have already registered to attend.
On Monday, the Pope is scheduled to travel to Metz in northeastern France, where he will honour Robert Schuman (1886-1963), a founding father of the European Union and a devout Catholic who is currently a candidate for beatification. The tribute highlights the Church's interest in connecting its mission with the moral foundations of European integration.
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago in 1955, was originally named Robert Prevost — a surname of French origin. His paternal grandmother was born in Le Havre in Normandy in 1894, and when she later married in the United States, she and her Italian husband adopted the name Prevost, which had been her mother's maiden name. That personal connection to France has lent an added layer of meaning to this visit, which blends pastoral outreach with a homecoming of sorts.
For the hundreds of thousands who lined the Champs-Élysées and gathered at the Place de la Concorde, the day represented both a moment of devotion and a public affirmation of faith in a country where religion and secularism have long coexisted in tension. As the Pope moved among the crowds, blessing children and acknowledging the cheers, the event appeared to transcend its ceremonial purpose, offering a rare spectacle of unity in the heart of the French capital.
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