Pope Leo XIV was greeted with the fervor of a major concert event on Friday evening as he arrived at the Stade de France, located just outside Paris. Approximately 80,000 young Catholic faithful gathered at the iconic venue to celebrate their faith, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a high-energy music festival.
Combining elements of gospel and contemporary Christian music, the massive crowd chanted, “For the pope, for God, make some noise!” as the pontiff made his entrance in the popemobile. The enthusiastic reception highlighted the strong connection between the Vatican leader and younger generations of believers in France.
This rally represents a key stop in Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing visit to France, which has also included addresses at UNESCO and evening prayers at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Throughout the trip, the Pope has maintained a focus on matters of faith rather than politics, engaging with President Emmanuel Macron and various civil society leaders during his time in the capital.
Gospel meets popemobile—what a vibe. The focus on youth engagement here is genuinely inspiring to see.
An 80,000 strong crowd chanting at a sporting stadium? This feels like a major cultural shift for the Church.