Hundreds of people flooded Paris’s renowned Champs-Élysées avenue to attend Pope Leo XIV’s grand outdoor mass, highlighting the enduring popularity of the Catholic Church in France, a country that is historically Catholic but officially secular.
The American Pope engaged with the crowds from his popemobile during a two-kilometer procession along the iconic boulevard leading to the Place de la Concorde for the mass, the central location in Paris symbolizing the secular French republic.
The huge turnout, exceeding 600,000 registered attendees, underscored the lasting influence of the church in France, despite the decline in church attendance over the years due to secularization trends that have led to empty churches across Europe.
Central Paris was under tight security measures on Saturday, with road closures, yet the celebratory ambiance attracted individuals from various faith backgrounds and those without religious affiliations who gathered to witness the Pope.
“The message conveyed by Pope Leo transcends beyond the Catholic community; he addresses issues like social justice,” remarked Leontine Joseph, 42, a devoted Catholic who attended the mass with two friends of Moroccan descent raised in the Muslim tradition.
Throughout his four-day visit, Pope Leo has encouraged French Catholics to uphold their faith “amid the challenges of a secular society.” His itinerary included visits to significant landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Catholic shrine at Lourdes.
During a visit to the Catholic Institute of Paris, Pope Leo expressed surprise at the increasing number of new converts in recent years, attributing it to what he described as divine intervention surpassing statistical analysis.
The rise in adult baptisms in France, tripling since 2016 to reach 13,000 this year, has been noted, although experts caution that this upward trend does not offset the overall decline in church attendance among the younger generation.
Ahead of the mass, thousands of pilgrims gathered at Concorde, not all identifying as Catholics but drawn by curiosity about the Pope’s message of peace and unity.
Sylvane Le Goff, 68, accompanied by her grandchildren, emphasized the importance of exposing them to the Pope’s message and values of peace and unity, regardless of her personal religious practice.
Pope Leo was particularly impressed by the enthusiastic response of the French population, especially during a Friday night vigil that extended late into the evening, engaging 80,000 young attendees at a national stadium event.
The choice of Place de la Concorde for the mass was strategic due to its capacity to accommodate the anticipated large crowds, with organizers extending the venue to accommodate the expected influx of attendees.
Although the selection of the venue faced criticism from staunch secularism advocates, citing its significance as a symbol of the French Republic, the historical context of the location played a role in the decision, aligning with France’s tradition of secularism based on the separation of church and state.
France, deeply rooted in Catholic traditions, upholds a strict form of secularism in public life established by a 1905 law that delineates the separation of church and state, with the Place de la Concorde embodying historical significance from the French Revolution.
The Champs-Élysées, known for hosting large public gatherings, has been a focal point for celebrations, including significant events like France’s 1998 World Cup victory, attracting millions of attendees.