Pope encourages Catholics in deeply secular France to persevere as Paris shuts down for huge Mass

Pope Leo XIV encouraged French Catholics to remain steadfast in their faith during a visit to Paris on Saturday. Speaking to a group of newly baptized people at the Catholic Institute of Paris, the Pope expressed surprise at the number of recent converts, noting that their growth contradicts sociological data regarding the declining number of practicing Catholics in the secular country.

The Pope's visit included a large Mass at the Place de la Concorde that caused closures in central Paris. This followed a Friday night vigil at a national stadium north of the capital, where approximately 80,000 young people attended an event featuring fireworks and a retelling of French Catholic history. During the vigil, the Pope thanked the attendees for their courage and presence.