On the second day of his four-day, three-city tour of France, Pope Leo led an expansive open-air mass that drew a crowd estimated by the Vatican at 700,000 people. The event, which took place in the heart of Paris at the Place de la Concorde, saw attendance figures exceed registrations by approximately 100,000. This visit marks the first official papal journey to France in 18 years.
The choice of venue carried historical and political weight, as the Place de la Concorde serves as the center of the secular French republic and was the site of guillotine executions during the French Revolution, when the rule of Louis XVI was overthrown. This selection faced criticism from advocates of France’s strict legislation separating church and state in public life. Despite the controversy, the atmosphere among the attendees was celebratory, with the crowd chanting "Leo, Leo" and "Long live the pope" while waving French and Vatican flags.
In his homily, the 71-year-old American pope encouraged the faithful to share their beliefs openly. "Let it overflow, so that those you meet may be refreshed and their thirst satisfied," he stated. "From this beautiful city of Paris, I pray fervently that the living water of the Holy Spirit may flow throughout France." He emphasized that true happiness is found in faith rather than material wealth, telling the crowd, "Only God can fill the emptiness within us."
Security for the event was extensive, with a 1.4-mile (2.2km) zone encompassing the area from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, resulting in a total shutdown of central Paris road traffic. Authorities deployed approximately 14,500 police officers, gendarmes, military personnel, and firefighters to manage the event. Helicopters monitored the scene from above while snipers were positioned on surrounding rooftops. The service was attended by about 100 bishops and 2,400 priests and deacons.
During his transit down the Champs-Élysées in a popemobile, the pontiff made frequent stops to offer blessings to babies held up by members of the crowd. As noted by Marie-Élisabeth, a 44-year-old nun from Burgundy, the gathering served as a significant public expression of faith, stating, "This event is a way for us to say loud and proud that Christians are here."
