Pope Leo XIV urges young Catholics to carry faith forward at massive Paris Mass

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 27, 2026

PARIS — Pope Leo XIV used a huge open-air Mass in central Paris on Saturday to praise the enthusiasm and commitment of young people, telling them they are an important part of the Catholic Church’s present and future.

The Mass at the Place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Élysées drew hundreds of thousands of worshippers. The Vatican put attendance at about 700,000, while AFP reported that the Vatican, citing local sources, said the crowd reached roughly 800,000 across the area.

Paris Welcomes Pope Leo XIV as Crowds Fill the Champs-Élysées

Pope highlights the role of young people

During his homily, Pope Leo directly addressed young people, describing them as “today’s Church” and thanking them for the enthusiasm, energy, commitment and joy they bring to Christian communities.

His comments followed a separate youth prayer vigil at the Stade de France on Friday evening, where about 80,000 young people gathered to hear him speak and share their experiences. The Pope encouraged them to commit themselves to service and peace and urged those considering religious vocations not to be afraid of the call.

Hundreds of Thousands Gather as Pope Leo Celebrates Mass in Paris

A message about faith and hope

The Paris Mass focused heavily on the Christian image of “living water.” Drawing on the Gospel, Leo said Jesus Christ is the source of living water capable of satisfying humanity’s deepest spiritual thirst.

He also encouraged Catholics not to keep their faith private, but to share it with others through their lives and actions.

The Pope’s visit to Paris forms part of his four-day journey through France from September 25 to 28. His schedule included a visit to UNESCO, meetings with young people, Notre-Dame de Paris and the open-air Mass before his departure for Lourdes.

A Sea of Worshippers Gather for Pope Leo’s Paris Mass

A major public gathering in central Paris

Before the Mass, Pope Leo travelled along the Champs-Élysées in the popemobile, greeting crowds gathered along the route. The event transformed some of central Paris into a vast gathering place for pilgrims and spectators.

The choice of the Place de la Concorde also carried historical significance. The square, now one of Paris’s major public spaces, is associated with the French Revolution and the country’s strongly secular political tradition.

The Paris visit is the Pope’s first official papal visit to France and comes nearly two decades after the previous papal visit to the country.