Pope Leo XIV's France visit to draw 1 million, with Paris Mass and Lourdes stop

Pope Leo XIV's first official papal state visit to France in 18 years is expected to draw over 1 million people during a four-day trip starting Sept. 25, according to the Bishops' Conference of France. The visit includes a popemobile ride through central Paris, an open-air Mass at Place de la Concorde expected to attract at least 500,000 people, and a stop in Lourdes, where the pope will meet seven sexual abuse survivors. He will also deliver a speech on Europe's roots in Metz. The trip is expected to cost the Catholic Church 27 million euros, with 5.5 million raised so far. It marks Leo's fourth foreign visit this year, ahead of a November trip to Latin America.