Pope Leo draws massive crowds in France. Is Catholicism making a comeback?
Summary
Pope Leo XIV held large public religious events in France, drawing hundreds of thousands to Masses and prayer vigils in Paris and Lourdes. Although many people in France say they have no religion, there are signs of growing interest in Catholic baptism, especially among adults.Key Facts
- About 800,000 people attended Pope Leo XIV’s outdoor Mass in Paris.
- Around 80,000 young people joined a prayer vigil with singing and dancing at Stade de France.
- More than 150,000 people took part in Sunday Mass in Lourdes, a famous Catholic pilgrimage site.
- The number of adult and adolescent baptisms in France rose by 28% from last year and tripled over the past decade.
- A 2026 French survey showed 51% of people aged 18 to 59 have no religion, and only 29% identify as Catholic.
- The fastest-growing religious group in France is Christians who do not identify as Catholic, rising from 2.5% to 9% among people ages 18 to 49.
- Recent French laws guarantee abortion rights and allow assisted dying, which oppose Catholic Church teachings.
- Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope and publicly addressed social and religious issues during his visit.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
