Pope Leo XIV held a large-scale open-air mass in central Paris on Saturday, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees. The event, which took place on the Champs-Élysées and near the Place de la Concorde, marks a significant moment in the Pope's four-day tour of France, his first official visit to the country in nearly two decades.

Reports on the exact attendance figures vary slightly. The Vatican has estimated the crowd size at approximately 700,000 people, while other reports suggest a figure closer to 600,000. According to The Guardian, the Vatican's estimate of 700,000 exceeded the number of people who had officially registered for the event. During the procession to the mass, the 71-year-old Pope traveled via the Popemobile, where he was seen greeting crowds and blessing babies.

The location of the mass, the Place de la Concorde, carries historical significance as the site of executions during the French Revolution, an era that saw the overthrow of the French monarchy and the establishment of a secular republic. Media outlets have highlighted the contrast between this historical context and the current visit, noting that while France remains an officially secular nation, the event drew a massive turnout, which some outlets interpret as a sign of the Catholic Church’s enduring influence in the region.