Pope Leo XIV draws 700,000 to Paris Mass, urges faith amid spiritual drought

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at Place de la Concorde in Paris before an estimated 700,000 attendees during his pastoral visit to France. His homily emphasized spreading faith and hope against discouragement and loneliness, a message consistent with his recent papal rhetoric. The event underscores the Catholic Church's public influence in France, though its broader political or market impact is minimal.