Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris on Saturday, drawing an estimated crowd of 700,000 people. The event marked the second day of the pontiff's four-day tour of France, following his arrival via the Champs-Élysées in his popemobile.
Addressing the congregation, the Pope highlighted the contributions of younger generations to the faith, stating, "How beautiful it is to see your enthusiasm, energy and commitment, and the joy you bring to Christian communities." He encouraged believers to share their faith openly with others rather than keeping it private.
While French President Emmanuel Macron met with the Pope on Friday, he did not attend the Saturday Mass, citing France's strict separation of Church and state. However, the service was attended by Brigitte Macron, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and several political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Bruno Retailleau, Édouard Philippe, and Gabriel Attal.
Earlier in the day, the Pope visited the Maison Bakhita centre to meet with refugees and volunteers, where he commended the organization for its work with marginalized populations. He also spoke on the importance of women in society and, during his initial remarks on Friday, cautioned against the potential loss of humanity due to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
The Pope’s itinerary continued Saturday evening with a visit to the sanctuary in Lourdes. He is scheduled to lead a Mass there on Sunday, with approximately 150,000 people expected to attend. His trip will conclude on Monday in Metz, where he plans to honor Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union currently under consideration for beatification.
Source: BBC News
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