Papal pilgrimage: Pope Leo fills Place de la Concorde for historic Mass in France

NPR | By Eleanor Beardsley,

Scott Simon

Published September 26, 2026 at 7:37 AM EDT

On the second day of his four-day visit to France, Pope Leo celebrates Mass in Paris at the Place de la Concorde. He's being greeted like a rock star in this traditionally Catholic yet staunchly secular nation.

Eleanor Beardsley

Eleanor Beardsley is an NPR correspondent based in Paris, France.

See stories by Eleanor Beardsley

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Scott Simon

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