In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI led the last apostolic visit to France by a pope. Among its main events was a Mass at the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris, which drew an estimated 200,000 people. It was held on September 13.
This Saturday, September 26, 2026, the scene will be repeated, but with some differences. This time the pope will be Leo XIV, and the location will be Place de la Concorde. It is expected to be one of the central moments of the trip. With ten days still to go, authorities were forced to close registration in order to guarantee security after 600,000 people signed up.
