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Pope Leo XIV to Hold 600,000-Person Masses in France

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Pope Visits France

Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25-28, 2026.
He will hold open-air Masses on the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde, expecting 600,000 attendees.
A vigil for 80,000 youths is planned at the Stade de France.
He will address artificial intelligence and education at UNESCO in Paris.
He will meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, without a state ceremony.

Summary

Local Hoteliers Anticipate Surge

Local businesses anticipate a tourism surge from the 150,000-person papal mass in Lourdes.
Hotel rates have risen, with some rooms exceeding €2,000 per night.
The sanctuary’s 10,000 hotel rooms and 21,200 beds are near full occupancy during the visit.
Pilgrims from Eastern and Central Europe, especially Poland, are expected to join the crowds.
Approximately 60,000 sick and disabled pilgrims visit Lourdes each year, sustaining its pilgrimage economy.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 Pope John Paul II led World Youth Day in Paris, drawing about 1.2 million young Catholics. His eight visits to France, including a pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2004, cemented the country’s role as a major Catholic pilgrimage hub. The 2026 tour by Pope Leo XIV follows that legacy, aiming to revive the same pilgrimage-driven tourism.

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Pope Visits France

Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25-28, 2026.
He will hold open-air Masses on the Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde, expecting 600,000 attendees.
A vigil for 80,000 youths is planned at the Stade de France.
He will address artificial intelligence and education at UNESCO in Paris.
He will meet President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, without a state ceremony.

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