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APTOPIX France Pope
Pope Leo XIV waves after a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.
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Pope Leo XIV draws hundreds of thousands of people to Paris’ Champs-Élysées for a massive outdoor Mass. The pope greeted cheering crowds from his popemobile during a parade on Saturday to Place de la Concorde. The Vatican estimates 800,000 people attended, surpassing expectations. Leo encouraged attendees to share their faith and prayed for the Holy Spirit to flow throughout France. The event drew people of various faiths and ages, highlighting the church’s enduring influence despite secular trends. The pope’s visit continues with a trip to Lourdes.
