Pope Leo XIV Highlights Youth at Major Open-Air Mass in Paris

Pope Leo XIV praised the energy and commitment of young people as hundreds of thousands gathered for a major open-air Mass during his visit to France.

Pope Leo XIV placed young people at the centre of his message during a major open-air Mass in Paris, praising their enthusiasm, energy and commitment to building a more hopeful society.
An estimated 700,000 worshippers gathered around Place de la Concorde for the event, which formed part of the pontiff’s four-day visit to France. Large crowds filled the surrounding streets as the Pope travelled along the Champs-Élysées in an open vehicle before joining clergy and worshippers at the outdoor service.
The gathering attracted people from across France and beyond, with many young Catholics travelling to Paris specifically for the occasion. The scale of the turnout followed another youth-focused gathering at the Stade de France, where approximately 80,000 people had assembled the previous day.
Several senior French political figures attended the Mass, including Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Brigitte Macron. President Emmanuel Macron had met Pope Leo XIV earlier during the visit but did not attend the religious service, reflecting France’s longstanding constitutional separation between religion and the state.
During his time in France, the Pope also visited Maison Bakhita, a Paris organisation supporting refugees and migrants. He recognised the work of volunteers and organisations assisting vulnerable people, while emphasising the importance of ensuring that those who are often overlooked remain visible in society.
Technology was another subject addressed during the visit. Pope Leo XIV warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence should not come at the expense of human dignity, relationships or responsibility. His remarks reflected growing international debate about how new technologies should be governed and used.
The Pope’s French visit also includes a trip to Lourdes, where around 150,000 people registered to attend a Sunday Mass. He is then expected to travel to Metz to honour Robert Schuman, one of the leading figures associated with the early development of European cooperation.
The Paris gathering demonstrated the continuing ability of major religious events to attract large numbers of young people and bring together faith communities from different backgrounds.