Pope Leo XIV proceeded with his official visit to France on Sunday, arriving at the renowned Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes located in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The Pontiff celebrated a major mass before an estimated 150,000 attendees.
Hendro Munstermann, serving as the Vatican correspondent for the Dutch newspaper Nederland Dagblad, reported from the scene to provide insights into the Pope’s itinerary and impressions of the event.
This stop follows a series of significant gatherings earlier in the week. On Saturday, Pope Leo addressed young people during a large mass in Paris, while another massive congregation of roughly 600,000 people gathered on the Champs-Élysées for a separate outdoor liturgy.
During his broader official visit, which began on September 25, the Pope has also focused on humanitarian issues, notably issuing calls to protect migrants. The visit has coincided with reports of a renewal in French Catholicism, including a noted increase in baptisms among younger demographics seeking community.
The focus on migrants is crucial right now. Hope the Pope’s message translates into real policy changes, not just words.
Wait, Pope Leo XIV? That’s a new name for me. Did previous popes not use numbers, or is this a recent historical shift?
150,000 people is a massive crowd. I wonder how the local infrastructure handled such a huge influx of pilgrims in Lourdes?
Fascinating to see the renewal in French Catholicism mentioned. It seems faith is finding new life among the youth there.