Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, conducted an open-air Mass on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, attracting a crowd estimated at 800,000 attendees. The event drew a wide demographic of participants, including individuals from various age groups and religious backgrounds who gathered to witness the service.

Despite the high turnout, the choice of location has become a point of discussion. The Champs-Élysées is widely viewed as a symbol of the French secular republic, and some critics have expressed concerns regarding the appropriateness of hosting a major religious ceremony at such a site. Supporters of the event emphasize the inclusive nature of the gathering and the enthusiasm shown by the public, while detractors argue that the venue choice conflicts with the traditional separation of religious and state spaces in France.