Several hundred thousand people gather for Pope Leo’s mass in Paris

Vatican estimates 700,000 people in attendance as the Catholic religious leader continues four-day tour of France.Several hundred thousand people have gathered in the French capital to attend Pope Leo XIV’s outdoor mass.The Vatican estimated that 700,000 people came out in Paris on Saturday, more than the 600,000 who had registered in advance.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Pope Leo heads to France amid assisted dying, abuse debateslist 2 of 3Pope Leo XIV warns AI could undermine humanity during France visitlist 3 of 3Pope Leo XIV makes first official Papal visit in France in nearly 20end of listThe American pope greeted flag-waving, cheering throngs from his popemobile as he rode along France’s 1.9 kilometres (1.2 miles) famous avenue, the Champs-Elysees.Upon arriving at Place de la Concorde, Paris’s largest public square, Leo held an outdoor mass and led hundreds of thousands of people in prayer.The pontiff began his four-day tour of France on Friday, marking the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years.The pope is seeking to improve the Roman Catholic Church’s standing in France, five years after an inquiry found that 330,000 children were abused by its clergy and lay members over the span of seven decades. The religious leader has also been challenging France’s recently approved law allowing assisted dying.French President Emmanuel Macron was not present for the mass and was represented by his wife, Brigitte. Far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen was also among the attendees. Le Pen currently leads the polls in advance of next year’s election, which is due to take place in mid-April.The pope is next due to travel to the southwestern town of Lourdes, where he will meet seven French victims abused by members of the clergy on Sunday.On Friday, an estimated 300,000 people turned out to see the pontiff as he waved from the popemobile on the way to the Notre Dame Cathedral.