Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass before 700,000 in central Paris
publishers 61articles 121first reported 23 Sep, 15:02 UTCdeveloping since 23 Sep · 8 editionstop 25 #3
Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in central Paris on Saturday before an estimated 700,000 people, the largest event of his four-day visit to France.
Crowds lined the Champs-Élysées as the pope travelled by popemobile to a temporary altar at Place de la Concorde. During his homily, Leo urged Catholics to share their faith and seek happiness beyond material possessions. “Only God can fill the emptiness within us,” he said.
The Vatican’s attendance estimate was about 100,000 higher than the number registered in advance. Authorities closed a security zone extending roughly 2.2 kilometres through central Paris, with about 14,500 police officers, gendarmes, military personnel and firefighters deployed, according to The Guardian.
Earlier Saturday, Leo visited a centre supporting migrants and refugees and met adults who had recently been baptised. On Friday, he met President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and celebrated Vespers at Notre Dame Cathedral, becoming the first pontiff to preside there since the cathedral’s 2019 fire.
Macron did not attend Saturday’s Mass, but first lady Brigitte Macron and several prominent French political figures were present. The visit is the first official papal trip to France in 18 years. Leo is also scheduled to visit Lourdes, where he is due to meet people abused by clergy, and Metz before concluding the tour.
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