Pope Leo's mass appeal: American pontiff is met by 600,000 crowd as he arrives for outdoor service in Paris before heading for Lourdes

Thousands of people have greeted Pope Leo in Paris as he arrives in the French capital for an outdoor service ahead of a visit to Lourdes.

Over 600,000 Catholics registered to attend the mid-afternoon mass on Paris's famous Place de la Concorde, for what is expected to be the biggest event of the Pontiff's visit to France. 

Spectators arrived on the Champs-Élysées before sunrise to try to secure the best view of Pope Leo, who was driven down the boulevard in an open-top popemobile.    

Leo is on a whirlwind four-day visit to France, where he is seeking to repair the Church's standing after abuse scandals shook the nation.

He also plans to meet victims of abuse by clergy at Lourdes on Sunday.  

Speaking ahead of today's service, worshippers said they hoped Leo would use his service to comment on world events.

The Pope warned yesterday in a speech at the Paris headquarters of the UN culture and education body, UNESCO, that the UN and other multilateral groups were in crisis.

He also repeated his frequent appeal for the world to reconsider the development of artificial intelligence, telling French leaders that AI could create a future where 'a paradise of machines' takes control of the Earth.

Geraldine Pambou, 42, said she hoped Leo, who drew rebuke from US President Donald Trump this year for criticising the US war with Iran, would again speak out for peace.

'The most important thing is that he emphasises world peace,' she said. 'There are too many wars.'

Pierre-Marie Estienne, 36, was in the crowd waiting for Leo's mass in central Paris with his wife and their four young children.

'We live in an era of great materialism,' he said. 'There is a lot of evil around us, so we need a message of hope and love.'

France, which has had the separation of church and state enshrined into law since 1905, is one of the most irreligious countries in Europe and the Catholic Church has witnessed a steady decline since the Second World War. 

Despite this, France has seen an increase in baptisms of adults, including a record 21,000 last Easter.

However, in a visit on Saturday with newly baptized Catholics at the Catholic University of Paris, Leo urged the French church not to be 'naively optimistic' about the recent increase in adherents. 

'We must recognize, welcome and protect the small flame that the Holy Spirit has kindled in the darkness of the night, the tiny seed that strives to grow even amid the thorns,' he said.

Pope Leo holds a baby as he greets wellwishers in Paris ahead of his mass in the French capital

Spectators arrived on the Champs-Élysées before sunrise to try and secure the best view of Pope Leo who was driven down the boulevard in an open-top popemobile

The Pope arrives on stage ahead of his outdoor mass. Speaking ahead of today's service, worshippers said they hoped Leo would use his service to comment on world events

Worshippers gather on the Place de la Concorde ready for Pope Leo's service 

Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich (L) poses with a chalice gifted by Pope Leo XIV (C), for the Notre-Dame treasure, during a solemn outdoor mass at Place de la Concorde, central Paris, on September 26, 2026 on the second day of his visit to France

Pope Leo XIV (front C) waves to the crowd after celebrating a solemn outdoor mass at Place de la Concorde, central Paris, on September 26, 2026 on the second day of his visit to France

Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass in Place de la Concorde, Paris, France, 26 September 2026

Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the Papamobile (popemobile) as he rides down the Champs-Elysees Avenue to arrive to celebrate a solemn outdoor mass at Place de la Concorde, central Paris, on September 26, 2026 in Paris, France

Worshippers gathered on the Champs-Elysees Avenue attend a solemn outdoor mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the Popemobile

Pope Leo XIV celebrates a solemn outdoor mass at Place de la Concord