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Pope Leo draws 800,000 to Mass in the heart of Paris
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- Published
- Sep 26, 2026, 3:28 PM UTC
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Capital of France
Paris is the capital and largest city of France, with an estimated city population of 2.04 million in an area of 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi), as of January 2026, and a metropolitan population of 13.3 million (2023). Located on the Seine in the centre of the Île-de-France region, it is the largest metropolitan area and fourth-most populous city in the European Union (EU). Paris is nicknamed the "City of Light" mainly due to its leading role in the Age of Enlightenment.
More on Wikipedia ↗Close to 800,000 people lined Paris' Champs Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde for Mass Sept. 26 with Pope Leo XIV, who urged the people of France to follow Jesus to the source of true happiness and peace.
Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 800,000 to Place de la Concorde for a historic open-air Mass, urging French Catholics to share their faith openly.
Shouts of “Leo, Leo!” and “Long live the pope!” rang out in Paris as 800,000 people greeted the first American pope. At an open-air Mass, he shared a message of peace, harmony, hope and human dignity.