Pope Leo draws 800,000 to Mass in the heart of Paris

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for nearly 800,000 people at the Place de la Concorde in Paris on September 26, 2026. During his four-day visit to France, the Pope addressed the crowd from the city's largest public square, where people had gathered along the Champs Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to reach the site.

In his homily, the Pope encouraged the people of France to find true happiness and peace by following Jesus. He told the assembly that their thirst for God, truth, unity, and communion could be satisfied by looking to the heart of Jesus.

Attendees waited for several hours, sometimes in light rain, to participate in the liturgy. Six altar servers with Down syndrome assisted during the Mass.