Pope Leo & Religious Fervour in France

 

                                                        Champs Elysees during the Papal Visit

Europe has become an increasingly secular region, even though thousands of Christian church buildings dot the countryside of a number of countries. France is one of them, not only in the exodus of worshippers and distancing from traditional religious roots but in the restrictive policies of the government.

During the past few days Pope Leo has been in France and we might assume that the head of a struggling Roman Catholic church would receive a tepid welcome. This has not been the case and it may be that the pontiff is surprised by the numbers of people who have participated in public events, many of them young adults.

An estimated 800,000 lined the Champs Elysees for a drive-by on his way to celebrate an outdoor mass. I notice that there were many nuns there in habits. Strictly speaking, was this an illegal religious demonstration? I'm confident that no one was arrested or fined.

 Leo will celebrate a mass in majestic Notre Dame Cathedral with its majestic sanctuary, almost destroyed a few years ago.  Leo stood outside Notre Dame last week and grew emotional as thousands sang Salve Regina. 

These remarkable displays of religious fervour seem to support evidence of a renewed interest in Christianity in France, particularly amongst younger people. The number of young adult baptisms has grown significantly in the past few years, including a 25% increase in 2025.

Huge crowds to honour popes are not new and often as Protestants we attempt to understand the religious rockstar flavour of these papal visits. I imagine Pope Leo, a humble man, is praying that this is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit sparking a renewed desire to follow the light of Christ in a world that seems increasingly confusing and dark.