Pope Leo draws huge crowds and addresses abuse, faith and public life during France visit

Pope Leo XIV drew hundreds of thousands of people to an outdoor Mass in central Paris on Saturday, the second day of the first official papal visit to France in 18 years.

The Vatican’s attendance estimates ranged from 700,000 to 800,000. Before celebrating Mass at Place de la Concorde, Leo traveled along the Champs-Élysées in the popemobile as crowds waved French and Vatican flags. About 14,500 police officers, military personnel, gendarmes and firefighters were deployed, according to The Guardian.

Leo urged Catholics not to keep their faith to themselves, telling worshippers to “let it overflow.” He praised young Catholics’ “enthusiasm, energy and commitment.” President Emmanuel Macron did not attend the Mass, but first lady Brigitte Macron and several prominent French politicians were present.

The pope began his four-day tour Friday, meeting Macron and praying at the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. According to AP, he became the first pontiff to celebrate Vespers there since the cathedral was badly damaged by fire in 2019. He also warned against “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines” while discussing artificial intelligence.

At Lourdes on Sunday, where about 150,000 attended Mass, Leo called for respect for sick and frail people and said causing death must not become normal, in what Deutsche Welle said could be seen as a reference to France’s euthanasia and assisted suicide law, which came into effect last month. He also praised French bishops for responding to clerical sexual abuse while urging continued vigilance. Leo was scheduled to meet seven survivors, five years after an inquiry estimated that 330,000 children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay members in France between 1950 and 2020.