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Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass before a vast crowd in Paris

During his visit to France, Pope Leo XIV held a giant mass at Place de la Concorde in front of hundreds of thousands of worshippers.

26 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass before a vast crowd in Paris — Archive photoPhoto: bibi95 · Flickr · BY

During his stay in Paris, Pope Leo XIV attracted a massive crowd on Saturday at Place de la Concorde to celebrate an open-air mass. According to the Vatican, nearly 800,000 people, coming from across France and beyond, attended the event, reflecting a notable fervor among the faithful.

The pontiff traveled down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in his papamobile, greeted by thousands of spectators. Along the route, he blessed several infants and acknowledged the throng gathered along the way. This procession lasted several hours due to the large number of worshippers, some of whom arrived as early as dawn to catch a glimpse of the pope.

The mass, regarded as a highlight of his visit, began after the pope's passage through the Champs-Élysées. Participants expressed their joy and enthusiasm, describing the event as an intense spiritual experience that reinforced their collective faith.

Political figures and presidential candidates were present, although the President of the Republic was absent. This outdoor ceremony also necessitated a significant security presence due to the enormous turnout and the stakes involved in such a gathering.

Among the speeches, Leo XIV urged the faithful to live together in dignity and peace, a message that resonated particularly well with the diverse young audience gathered at the Stade de France during a previous related event in his visit.

After his celebration in Paris, the pope headed to Lourdes, where he prayed at the Massabielle grotto, entrusting the nation to the protection of the Virgin Mary. This act is part of his four-day apostolic journey across France.

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