PARIS, France — Pope Leo XIV rode through Paris’ Champs-Elysees avenue in his popemobile on Saturday, greeting crowds of faithful ahead of an outdoor Mass at Place de la Concorde that organizers expected about 600,000 people to attend.
The smiling pontiff waved to worshippers and blessed several babies as he traveled from the Arc de Triomphe toward the square, where organizers installed a large white canopy for the service.
Dozens of large screens lined the more than two-kilometer route so crowds could follow the event.
The Mass, the centerpiece of the second day of Leo’s four-day visit to France, was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time, or 1300 GMT.
Thousands of worshippers gathered along the route carrying French and Vatican flags as authorities closed the city center to traffic. Helicopters flew overhead while security personnel positioned snipers on rooftops.
Parents brought young children in strollers or carried them on their shoulders as they waited for a glimpse of the pope during the second day of the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades.
Politicians also gathered near the stage at Place de la Concorde, including National Rally leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.
French President Emmanuel Macron was not expected to attend the Mass. His wife, Brigitte Macron, was expected to represent him.
