PARIS — Pope Leo XIV led an open‑air Mass on Saturday, 26 September 2026, in the heart of Paris, where a crowd of hundreds of thousands gathered as the city shut down for the event. The Pope’s visit to France was part of a broader tour of European Catholic communities that began earlier in the month.
Mass draws hundreds of thousands
According to reports from the BBC, The Globe and Mail, Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi and wlfi.com, the open‑air service was attended by an estimated 500,000 people, though the Vatican did not release an exact figure. The gathering took place near the Place de la Concorde, with the Pope standing on a temporary platform as he delivered the homily. Security forces from the Paris Police Prefecture and the French Gendarmerie were deployed in the surrounding area to manage the large crowd and ensure the safety of the participants.
Pope urges perseverance amid global challenges
During the Mass, the Pope spoke to the assembled faithful about the need for perseverance in the face of social and environmental challenges. He called on Catholics in France and worldwide to remain steadfast in their faith and to work together for the common good. The Pope’s message was consistent with his recent statements on climate change, social justice and the importance of community solidarity.
Paris shuts down for the event
City officials announced that several major avenues, including the Champs‑Élysées and the Rue de Rivoli, were closed for the duration of the Mass. Public transport services were temporarily suspended, and the Paris Metro’s Line 1 was rerouted to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. The French Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the closure was part of a coordinated effort to manage the large crowd and to provide a safe environment for the event.
Vatican’s schedule and broader context
The Pope’s visit to France followed a series of appearances in Rome, where he celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. His itinerary for the month included a stop in Brussels, where he met with European Union officials, and a subsequent visit to Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica for a private audience with the Pope’s personal secretary. The Paris Mass was the centerpiece of his European tour, aimed at reinforcing the Catholic presence in a country where church attendance has declined over the past decade.
Reactions from local and Vatican officials
The French Catholic Church welcomed the Pope’s visit, noting that it would “strengthen the bonds between the faithful and the Church.” The Vatican’s spokesperson for the Holy See’s Press Office said that the Pope’s message of perseverance would resonate with Catholics facing economic uncertainty and social change. Local authorities praised the cooperation between the Vatican, the French government and security agencies in ensuring a smooth and safe event.
Broader significance for Catholicism in France
France has seen a steady decline in church attendance, with only 20 % of the population identifying as Catholic in recent surveys. The Pope’s Mass, attended by a crowd that dwarfs typical attendance figures, underscored the enduring influence of Catholicism in French society. The event also highlighted the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to engage with secular societies and to promote dialogue on contemporary issues.
