Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 faithful to Paris on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in one of the largest papal gatherings in French history. The historic visit included an outdoor Mass at Place de la Concorde, a vigil at Stade de France, and an emotional meeting with young people from diverse backgrounds.
„This is a moment of grace for France and for the entire Church”, the Pope said during his homily at Place de la Concorde, which was filled to capacity with worshippers from across Europe. The Mass was concelebrated by French bishops and cardinals, including the Archbishop of Paris.
Earlier in the day, 80,000 young people attended a vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where the Pope encouraged them to be „witnesses of hope in a divided world”. Many of the attendees were from immigrant communities and interfaith backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of modern French Catholicism.
„For us Maronites, Eastern Christians, it is even more powerful given the current situation in the Middle East. We pray intensely for peace”, said one participant from the Lebanese community in Paris.
Towards the end of the day, the Pope flew to Lourdes, the famous Marian shrine in the French Pyrenees, where he will lead a prayer service and visit the Grotto of Massabielle. Lourdes, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually, holds special significance as a place of healing and spiritual renewal.
The Pope’s visit to France is the first since Pope Francis’s visit in 2014 and marks a new chapter in Vatican-France relations. Pope Leo XIV, known for his progressive stance on social issues and his commitment to interfaith dialogue, has been widely praised for reaching out to marginalized communities.
On Sunday, the Pope will celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes before returning to Rome. The French government has deployed extensive security measures for the papal visit, which is expected to draw over a million participants in total.
