First Papal Visit to France in Almost 2 Decades Attracts Hundreds of Thousands of Worshipers for Mass
Updated on: September 26, 2026 / 4:39 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- An estimated 800,000 people attended Pope Leo XIV's Mass in Paris, exceeding expectations.
- The event highlighted the Catholic Church's continued appeal in secular France, despite declining churchgoing trends.
- Attendees included people of various faiths and no faith, attracted by the Pope's message of social justice and peace.
- The Pope encouraged French Catholics to maintain their faith amidst secularism.
- The visit included prayers at the restored Notre Dame Cathedral and a visit to the shrine at Lourdes.
- While adult baptisms have increased, overall baptism numbers have significantly declined since 1980.
- The choice of Place de la Concorde for the Mass drew criticism from secularism supporters.
- The enthusiastic turnout was compared to celebrations for France's World Cup victories.
- The Pope concluded his visit with prayers and farewells in Lourdes.