Pope Leo’s open-air Mass in Paris on Saturday drew hundreds of thousands of people, with massive crowds lining the Champs-Élysées and cheering as the pope traveled through the city.
An estimated 800,000 people attended the Mass, according to Reuters, with chants of “Leo, Leo” and “Long live the Pope” echoing through the crowd. Many attendees arrived early in the morning ahead of the afternoon Mass, with Leo greeting them by stopping to bless babies and people who were disabled.
The Mass was held at the Place de la Concorde, one of the most historically significant public squares in Paris. The site was used for executions during the French Revolution, where King Louis XVI’s Catholic rule was dismantled. The location of the Mass faced criticism from those who favor France’s long shift away from Catholic influence in the government, as the country formally separated church and state under a 1905 law.
Despite the square’s history, Leo’s presence was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from French citizens. The pontiff urged the attendees to share their faith with others.
“Let it overflow, so that those you meet may be refreshed and their thirst satisfied,” Leo told the crowd. “From this beautiful city of Paris, I pray fervently that the living water of the Holy Spirit may flow throughout France.”
The Mass was part of the pope’s four-day apostolic journey to France. His schedule included meeting with French civil authorities and a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for culture and education.
Several prominent French political figures were also present during the pope’s visit, including Brigitte Macron, the wife of President Emmanuel Macron. National Rally figure Marine Le Pen, who is currently leading the polls for France’s next presidential election, was also in attendance.
Leo’s Mass came one day after he warned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence during a speech with Macron and other French officials. There, Leo warned that a “paradise of machines” could undermine humanity.
“If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a ‘paradise of machines’ invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good,” he said.
Earlier Saturday, Leo visited the Catholic Institute of Paris, where he highlighted the number of new converts registered in just the last few years. Adult baptisms in the country have tripled since 2016, reaching roughly 13,000 this year, according to the Associated Press.
“We must recognize, welcome and protect the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night, the tiny seed that strives to grow even amid the thorns,” he said.
An estimated 800,000 people attended the Mass, according to Reuters, with chants of “Leo, Leo” and “Long live the Pope” echoing through the crowd. Many attendees arrived early in the morning ahead of the afternoon Mass, with Leo greeting them by stopping to bless babies and people who were disabled.
The Mass was held at the Place de la Concorde, one of the most historically significant public squares in Paris. The site was used for executions during the French Revolution, where King Louis XVI’s Catholic rule was dismantled. The location of the Mass faced criticism from those who favor France’s long shift away from Catholic influence in the government, as the country formally separated church and state under a 1905 law.
Despite the square’s history, Leo’s presence was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from French citizens. The pontiff urged the attendees to share their faith with others.
“Let it overflow, so that those you meet may be refreshed and their thirst satisfied,” Leo told the crowd. “From this beautiful city of Paris, I pray fervently that the living water of the Holy Spirit may flow throughout France.”
The Mass was part of the pope’s four-day apostolic journey to France. His schedule included meeting with French civil authorities and a visit to the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for culture and education.
Several prominent French political figures were also present during the pope’s visit, including Brigitte Macron, the wife of President Emmanuel Macron. National Rally figure Marine Le Pen, who is currently leading the polls for France’s next presidential election, was also in attendance.
Leo’s Mass came one day after he warned about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence during a speech with Macron and other French officials. There, Leo warned that a “paradise of machines” could undermine humanity.
“If we are to avoid losing our humanity amid a ‘paradise of machines’ invading and conditioning our daily lives, there is an urgent need for education in ethical discernment and the capacity to acknowledge the moral good,” he said.
Earlier Saturday, Leo visited the Catholic Institute of Paris, where he highlighted the number of new converts registered in just the last few years. Adult baptisms in the country have tripled since 2016, reaching roughly 13,000 this year, according to the Associated Press.
“We must recognize, welcome and protect the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night, the tiny seed that strives to grow even amid the thorns,” he said.
