What happened
An estimated 800,000 people attended an open-air Mass in central Paris, where Pope Leo XIV urged Europe to remember its Christian roots. The pope's four-day visit to France included stops in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz, and was the first official papal trip to the country in 18 years.
The pope drew large crowds and defended the right to life in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, two months after France legalized assisted suicide. He also visited a Church-run center for illegal immigrants in Paris and spoke about the possibility of living together in dignity and peace.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of Christianity in Europe's history and identity, saying that the continent's heritage is rooted in its Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions. He also addressed the issue of migration, stating that welcoming others means integrating them into one's community while also respecting the authority of countries to control their borders.
The pope's visit was seen as a success by many, with one observer noting that he was both tender with the crowds and firm with the government. However, some critics argued that the choice of location for the Mass, Place de la Concorde, was too closely associated with the French Revolution and the Republic.
