Paris archdiocese opens new areas for papal Mass after 600,000 sign up

The Archdiocese of Paris has expanded the areas set aside for the Mass Pope Leo XIV will celebrate on September 26, in response to high demand to attend. City authorities have opened a new zone at the Place Charles-de-Gaulle, also known as the Place de l'Étoile, and on the adjoining Avenue de la Grande Armée, to accommodate the thousands of faithful expected to attend. The archdiocese confirmed the arrangements on Wednesday.

About 600,000 people have registered to take part so far, according to figures from the Paris archdiocese reported by the German Catholic news agency KNA. The Mass will take place at the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris, with an obelisk at its center. After the ceremony, those attending will move along the Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe.

A celebration beyond expectations

The archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, called the open-air event a "historic celebration." He said he was confident in and grateful to everyone involved in the final preparations, and to Parisians of different beliefs who will join the occasion. "I want to tell you of my joy at seeing you again, in numbers that exceed all our expectations," Ulrich said.

The pope's visit to France begins September 25. After Paris, he will travel to the shrine of Lourdes in the south of the country and end the trip in Metz, in the Lorraine region. While in Paris he is also scheduled to visit the headquarters of UNESCO.