Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass for over 800,000 people in central Paris during his visit, according to Vatican estimates. The event took place at Place de la Concorde, a site historically associated with the French Revolution and the overthrow of Louis XVI’s Catholic rule. The Vatican reported that the gathering, which included a white canopy erected as a makeshift altar, was one of the largest in the pope’s career. France 24 reported that the number of attendees exceeded the 700,000 figure cited by The Guardian, with the Vatican stating that over 800,000 people filled the streets of central Paris.

The Mass was part of Pope Leo XIV’s four-day apostolic visit to France, the first official papal visit to the country in nearly two decades. The visit included a stop at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, a major pilgrimage site for Catholics. The pope also met with victims of clerical sex abuse, following a 2021 inquiry that found about 330,000 people had been abused by clergy or lay members of the Church in France over seven decades. The event was marked by heightened security, with the city centre sealed off, helicopters circling overhead, and snipers positioned on rooftops.

The choice of Place de la Concorde as the Mass site drew criticism from secularists, who view the location as a symbol of the French Republic’s secular principles. However, the pope’s message emphasized unity and faith, with him urging the crowd to let their faith overflow and bring others to the 'living water of the Holy Spirit.' The event was attended by 2,400 priests and deacons, along with about 100 bishops, and required the deployment of 14,500 police officers, gendarmes, military personnel, and firefighters.

Pope Leo XIV also addressed Catholic youth during the visit, calling them the 'Church of today' and emphasizing the importance of faith in providing true happiness. The visit included a youth vigil at the Stade de France on Friday, where the pope made efforts to connect with younger Catholics. The event was attended by several presidential candidates, including far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Edouard Philippe, though President Emmanuel Macron himself did not attend the Mass but was represented by his wife, Brigitte.

The visit to Lourdes, where the pope prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle, was the third such visit by a pope to the site since 2008. The sanctuary, which receives three million pilgrims annually, is considered one of the most important Catholic holy sites in the world. The pope prayed to the Virgin Mary for 'wise and generous leaders' in France, urging them to promote peace and reject the 'mentality of war.' The visit also included a meeting with migrants at Maison Bakhita, where the pope emphasized the 'fundamental role of women in building a civilisation of love.'

The exact number of attendees remains a point of contention, with Vatican estimates varying from 700,000 to 800,000. The event’s significance lies in its scale and the symbolic choice of location, which has sparked debate over the role of religion in a secular state.