Pope Leo draws 800,000 people to central Paris for open-air Mass on iconic square

Key Points:

• Approximately 800,000 people attended an open-air Mass with Pope Leo XIV on Paris' Champs-Élysées, exceeding the 600,000 pre-registered attendees and demonstrating the Catholic Church's continued influence in secular France.
• Pope Leo XIV encouraged French Catholics to persevere in faith despite secular trends, highlighting a rise in adult baptisms in recent years, though overall baptism numbers have declined since 1980.
• The event attracted a diverse crowd, including non-Catholics and multiple generations, drawn by the pope's messages on faith, social justice, peace, and unity.
• The Mass was held at Place de la Concorde, a historic site symbolizing the French Republic, sparking debate among secularists who questioned the appropriateness of the location for a religious ceremony.
• Pope Leo's visit included other significant moments such as a vigil with 80,000 young people and a prayer at Notre Dame, underscoring his role as a major draw for public gatherings in France.