Huge crowds greet Pope in Paris ahead of open-air Mass

What the report says

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central Paris on Saturday to greet Pope Leo XIV ahead of a large open-air Mass, according to BBC World News. Crowds lined the Champs-Élysées as the pope travelled by popemobile beneath the Arc de Triomphe, stopping to bless babies while supporters chanted his name. The BBC said more than half a million people were expected for the Mass at Place de la Concorde, where a special altar was built for the ceremony.

The report also noted the wider political and religious backdrop to the visit. French President Emmanuel Macron met the pope on Friday but will not attend the Masses, reflecting France’s strict separation of church and state. Brigitte Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu were expected to be present, along with several figures seen as possible contenders in next year’s presidential election.

Earlier on Saturday, Leo visited the Maison Bakhita centre, which supports refugees and migrants, where he praised efforts to help people who are often overlooked and spoke about living together in dignity and peace. He also highlighted the role of women in building what he called a civilisation of love. The visit comes amid the pope’s four-day trip to France, during which he also warned officials in Paris about the risks of artificial intelligence and the need to protect human values.