Pope encourages French youth to seek holiness during visually rich stadium vigil

Pope Leo XIV urged 80,000 young people to pursue holiness, peace, and a living relationship with Jesus during a prayer vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sept. 25, 2026. The event was part of the Pope's four-day visit to France.

The Pope told the crowd that true freedom comes from a relationship with Jesus, which brings wisdom to plans and beauty to human desires. He said Christ calls people to a conversion that moves them from confusion toward truth and from indifference toward a commitment to justice.

The gathering included non-Christian students from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saint-Denis who attended at the invitation of their local schools. During his remarks, the Pope thanked the attendees for their courage, presence, and faith.