France: About 1 million people will attend the Pope's visit to Paris

At a press conference organized by the Conference of the Bishops of France, General Wattecamps spoke of the challenge of "a reception, within a day and a half, of about 1 million people", and this "so that all individual ... can see the Pope".

It was previously reported that half a million faithful were expected in Paris at the Holy Mass on August 26.

He explained that in the first phase there was an thought for the papal Mass to be held, for example, in the Mars Fields, but it was considered to be besides tiny space.

– The only (possibly) place in Paris was the most beautiful avenue in the planet – the Champs Elysées, the Square of Agree, the Square of Star (Etoile) – reported Wattecamps, listing squares lying on the 2 ends of the Champs Elysées. He added that 8,000 people are enrolled regular for Mass.

The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, stressed at a press conference that the first minute erstwhile the Pope meets with the inhabitants of Paris, would be the passage of Papamobile on Friday 25 September through Montparnasse and Saint-Michel Boulevards, towards Notre Dame Cathedral.

– This is very important, due to the fact that the passage of the Pope in Papamobile will be the place of the first gathering of people with him, and we hope that the large crowds will come to welcome him," the dignitary said.

About a 1000 people are expected at Notre Dame Cathedral, where there will be vespers on September 25; only bishops, priests, consecrated persons and seminarians will be present. In the evening, in Saint-Denis in the suburbs of Paris, the Pope will take part in a vigil with youth at Stade de France Stadium. To date, it has been reported that the gathering will gather any 80,000 people.

Leon XIV will arrive at the Paris airport Orly on September 25th in the morning and – as Fr. Archbishop Ulrich said – at this point in Paris the bells are about to ring. The papal visit is accompanied by "real enthusiasm" - he stressed.

Leon XIV's upcoming apostolic visit to France was besides addressed by the average of Metz Diocese, Bishop Philippe Ballot.

“The enthusiasm of the people in Paris besides reaches out to the province, and we see the same enthusiasm in Metz and Moselle [the department where Metz – PAP is located],” said the clergyman.

Pascal Peran, coordinating a papal visit to Metz, reported that 40,000 pilgrims from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg were eager to come to this town in the east of France. Staying at Metz on 28 September is the last phase of Leon XIV's visit to France; from there the Pope will fly to Rome in the evening.