Pope Leo Arrives in Lourdes After Record Paris Crowds
Usagevpn.com – Pope Leo arrives in Lourdes on Saturday evening for the second stage of his four-day visit to France, following a major public Mass in Paris that drew far more people than expected. He landed at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées International Airport after leading the outdoor service at Place de la Concorde.
His first stop in Lourdes was the Grotto of the Apparitions, where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. The sanctuary remains one of the world’s leading Catholic pilgrimage sites, welcoming visitors seeking prayer, comfort and hope.
Sunday Programme at the Lourdes Sanctuary
The pope is due to meet French bishops before celebrating an outdoor Mass in the Prairie area of Lourdes. The service will be followed by the Angelus prayer, placing the sanctuary at the centre of the day’s events.
Later, Pope Leo will visit the Accueil Notre-Dame to meet staff and people who are ill. His programme also includes a private meeting with contemplative religious sisters.
A private encounter with seven survivors of sexual abuse involving priests and other Catholic personnel is expected to be among the most closely watched parts of the visit. The meeting comes as criticism continues over the Catholic Church’s response to abuse, with some survivor organisations questioning why established advocacy groups were not represented.
The day will conclude with the Rosary and Lourdes’ traditional torchlight procession. Both ceremonies are central to the sanctuary’s pilgrimage life and draw large numbers of visitors.
Paris Mass Draws Nearly 800,000 People
Before Pope Leo arrives in Lourdes, he spent around 32 hours in Paris. His schedule included a popemobile journey through the city, an address at UNESCO headquarters and the Mass at Place de la Concorde.
About 600,000 people had registered for the Paris service, but Vatican estimates put the final attendance at nearly 800,000. The celebration included around 2,400 priests and deacons, as well as approximately 100 bishops.
Large crowds lined the Champs-Élysées as the pope travelled towards Place de la Concorde. The secured route stretched for nearly two miles towards the Arc de Triomphe, while several Metro stations were closed for security reasons.
“Leo! Leo!”
Supporters chanted as the pope passed through the avenue. Parents lifted babies and young children towards the popemobile, and Leo reached out to touch many of them.
In his homily, he urged believers not to hide their convictions and encouraged them to make their faith visible in ways that could reassure and support others.
A Wider Message for French Catholics
French President Emmanuel Macron did not attend the Mass and is not expected at the pope’s liturgical celebrations. Brigitte Macron attended the Paris service alongside Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The visit also highlights the position of Catholicism in France, where church attendance has declined over time. Leo began the trip on Friday at the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral, the first papal visit there since the devastating 2019 fire.
Speaking earlier at the Catholic Institute of Paris, the pope welcomed the growing number of adults entering the Catholic Church in France. Adult baptisms have nearly tripled since 2016 and are expected to reach about 13,000 this year, although the wider number of baptisms has fallen from 513,000 in 1980 to 186,000 in 2024.
FAQ: Pope Leo’s Visit to Lourdes
Why is Lourdes important to Catholics?
Lourdes is associated with the reported 1858 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous. It is a major destination for Catholic pilgrims, especially people seeking prayer, healing and spiritual support.
What will Pope Leo do in Lourdes?
Pope Leo arrives in Lourdes to visit the grotto, meet bishops, celebrate an outdoor Mass, meet ill people and staff at the Accueil Notre-Dame, and take part in the Rosary and torchlight procession.
How large were the Paris crowds?
Although around 600,000 people registered for the Mass, Vatican estimates put attendance at nearly 800,000 people.
