Pope Leo XIV draws massive crowd for open-air Mass in Paris
Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Sep 26, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-09-26-1430
Hundreds of thousands gathered in central Paris as Pope Leo XIV travelled along the Champs-Élysées to lead an open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central Paris on Saturday as Pope Leo XIV held a large open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde.
The pontiff travelled along the iconic Champs-Élysées in his popemobile, waving to cheering crowds and blessing several babies along the route. Turnout estimates for the event ranged between 500,000 and 600,000 attendees. Chants echoed through the city centre as spectators lined the avenue beneath the Arc de Triomphe to witness the Catholic leader. The outdoor service served as a major highlight of the papal visit to France.
Sources: France24, BBC News