Several hundred thousand people gathered in Paris on Saturday for an open-air Mass led by Pope Leo XIV, with the Vatican estimating the attendance at 700,000. This figure surpassed the 600,000 who had registered in advance for the event.

The pontiff, who is American, greeted enthusiastic crowds from his popemobile along the Champs-Élysées before celebrating Mass at the Place de la Concorde. This event is part of his four-day tour of France, which began on Friday and marks the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years.

The Pope's visit aims to bolster the Roman Catholic Church's influence in France, a nation still grappling with the aftermath of a significant abuse inquiry. The inquiry revealed that 330,000 children were victims of abuse by clergy and lay members over seven decades. Pope Leo XIV has also publicly opposed France's recently enacted assisted dying law.

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, represented the President at the Mass. Also in attendance was far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen, who currently leads polling for next year's elections.

Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lourdes on Sunday, where he will meet with seven French victims of clergy abuse. On Friday, an estimated 300,000 people had gathered to see the Pope on his way to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Observers have noted a palpable "sense of fervour reminiscent of that experienced over 40 years ago with John Paul II," according to Francois Mabille, director of the Geopolitical Observatory on Religion. During his visit, the Pope met with President Macron and delivered a speech at the Elysee Palace, praising French society and warning about the potential for artificial intelligence to erode human connection.

The Catholic Church's influence in secular France has been steadily declining in recent decades. The Pope's visit and the large turnout for his Mass suggest a continued, albeit complex, engagement between the Church and French society.

This visit also follows other significant papal engagements, including a recent trip to Lampedusa where he urged for migrant protection and integration, and upcoming travel to Latin America.