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.
The 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.
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.