Thousands turn out to greet Pope in France
Pope Leo XIV has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to various events in France, including a massive open-air Mass in Paris. The Pope's visit, which began on September 26, 2026, has been met with enthusiasm from the French public, with many attributing the growing spirituality among the French to the Church's efforts. The Pope has addressed various issues, including the challenges of artificial intelligence and clergy abuse.
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- ✓ Pope Leo XIV celebrated a 'monumental' outdoor Mass in Paris on September 26, 2026.
- ✓ The Mass drew 700,000 people at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
- ✓ Pope Leo XIV met with France's President Macron in Paris and discussed AI as a major challenge facing humanity.
- ✓ The Pope prayed in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, 7 years after a devastating fire.
What changed
The Pope's open-air Mass in Paris on September 26, 2026, drew an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 people, showcasing the enduring appeal of the Catholic Church in France.
Live updates
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Pope Leo XIV draws massive crowds in France
Pope Leo XIV has drawn hundreds of thousands of people to various events in France, including a massive open-air Mass in Paris. The Pope's visit, which began on September 26, 2026, has been met with enthusiasm from the French public, with many attributing the growing spirituality among the French to the Church's efforts. The Pope has addressed various issues, including the challenges of artificial intelligence and clergy abuse.
Why it matters
The Pope's visit to France is an apostolic journey aimed at strengthening the Catholic Church's presence in the country. France has a significant Catholic population, and the Pope's visit is seen as an opportunity to reconnect with the faithful and address pressing issues facing the Church. The visit comes at a time when the Church is grappling with declining attendance and scandals.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV celebrated a 'monumental' outdoor Mass in Paris on September 26, 2026.
- The Mass drew 700,000 people at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
- Pope Leo XIV met with France's President Macron in Paris and discussed AI as a major challenge facing humanity.
- The Pope prayed in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, 7 years after a devastating fire.
- Thousands of young Catholics gave the Pope a rockstar welcome in France.
What to watch next
- The Pope's upcoming visit to Lourdes.
- The Pope's speech on the challenges of artificial intelligence.
- The French government's response to the Pope's address on clergy abuse.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
- Reuters — Pope Leo heads to France with AI, apologies for clergy abuse on agenda
- BBC — Why is the Pope in France?
- AP News — Pope warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France trip
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Pope Leo meets with France's Macron in Paris, says AI is a major challenge facing humanity
- Vatican News — Pope calls clergy, religious of France to missionary conversion
- OSV News — Pope Leo prays in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris 7 years after devastating fire
- Yahoo — 'Leo, Leo': Young Catholics give pope rockstar welcome in France
- Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV begins his Apostolic Journey to France
- OSV News — Pope encourages French youth to seek holiness during visually rich stadium vigil
- www.bbc.co.uk — Thousands turn out to greet Pope in France - BBC News
- www.irishexaminer.com — Hundreds of thousands turn out for Pope ahead of Mass in Paris - Irish Examiner
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — Hundreds of thousands turn out for Pope Leo's popemobile parade along Champs-Elysees ahead of Mass
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