Pope Leo XIV Draws Massive Crowds in Paris and Lourdes

Pope Leo XIV visited France in late September 2026, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to events in Paris and Lourdes. An open-air Mass in Paris attracted an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 attendees, according to headlines. The pope also prayed at the Lourdes pilgrimage site.

A journalist from Libération criticized the pope's vigil at the Stade de France, calling it "low-end." The visit included a "Notre Père" prayer at the Institut catholique de Paris. One young mother said the pope's blessing felt like a boost for her mission as a parent.