Pope Leo XIV praised the enthusiasm and commitment of young people in the Catholic Church during an open-air Mass in Paris, attended by an estimated 700,000 individuals. The Mass took place at the Place de la Concorde on the second day of the Pope's four-day visit to France. The event began after the Pope traveled down the Champs-Élysées Avenue in his open-topped popemobile, waving to the crowds.
Many senior politicians were present at the Mass, including Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, and French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Macron did not attend the Mass to adhere to France's separation of Church and state rules. Other political figures, such as Marine Le Pen and Bruno Retailleau, were also seen at the event.
In his address, the Pope urged Catholics to share their faith, stating, "let it overflow so that those you meet may be refreshed." He referred to young people as "today's Church" and expressed appreciation for their contributions to Christian communities.
Earlier in the day, the Pope visited the Maison Bakhita center, which supports refugees, and emphasized the importance of recognizing marginalized individuals. He also highlighted the role of women in fostering a "civilization of love."
During his visit, the Pope issued a warning regarding the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, urging caution about losing humanity in a technologically advanced world. Large crowds are anticipated for the remainder of his trip, which the Church views as indicative of a rising spirituality among the French and other Europeans.
Following the Mass, the Pope traveled to Lourdes, where he is scheduled to celebrate another Mass on Sunday, with 150,000 attendees expected. On Monday, he will visit Metz to honor Robert Schuman, a founding father of the European Union and a candidate for beatification.