Pope Leo XIV draws 700,000 worshippers in Paris and urges them to combat “spiritual dryness”
Macron’s absence and the attendance of Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella add a political dimension to a celebration focused on faith and hope
Around 700,000 worshippers attended Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Place de la Concorde in Paris on Saturday, according to El Mundo. The pontiff urged believers to bring hope wherever discouragement and “spiritual dryness” prevail, addressing young people in particular.
The ceremony brought together pilgrims from across France, many arriving on hundreds of buses. Crowds welcomed the pope as he passed in the popemobile before the liturgy, which was celebrated in French at the foot of the obelisk.
🚨 The Champs Elysee is completely FULL
This is unbelievable
The people have France have turned out in their hundreds of thousands to see Pope Leo XIV, the atmosphere is electric pic.twitter.com/ebn52jHQbS— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) September 26, 2026
The event involved more than 15,000 volunteers, a thousand choristers and around 50 giant screens to help the crowds follow the Mass. Organisers also set up 2,500 stations to distribute Communion.
A call to rediscover meaning and hope
Leo XIV focused his homily on the search for meaning, truth and fulfilment. Drawing on the Gospel image of thirst, he stressed that human needs extend beyond material concerns and also have a spiritual dimension.
Young people featured prominently in his address. The pope praised their enthusiasm and involvement in Christian communities, describing them as an active part of the Church today. The previous evening, around 80,000 people had attended a youth gathering at the Stade de France.
The pontiff also thanked families for persevering through difficulties and offered encouragement to those embracing the Catholic faith as adults.
Macron’s absence gives the Mass political significance
Despite the pastoral tone of the homily, the attendance of political leaders and the absence of French President Emmanuel Macron became a focus of the celebration. His wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu attended.
Also present were Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, prominent figures in the National Rally, alongside Bruno Retailleau, Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe. Socialist leader Olivier Faure and Green politician Marine Tondelier declined to attend.
Macron’s decision fuelled debate over state secularism and the participation of public officials in religious ceremonies. Some worshippers voiced disagreement with the president’s absence and called for a more visible Catholic presence in public life.
A visit to migrants before travelling to Lourdes
Before Mass, Leo XIV visited Maison Joséphine Bakhita, a centre supporting the reception and integration of migrants. There, he heard accounts from an Afghan refugee who had fled war and a Nigerian woman who had escaped a prostitution ring, among others.
During the visit, the pope upheld the dignity of people who are overlooked by society and highlighted women’s contribution to building a society rooted in love and solidarity.
He also met Church representatives and laypeople at the Catholic University of Paris, where he welcomed adults’ interest in embracing faith in a highly secularised country. Lourdes is the next stop on his apostolic visit to France.