Pope Leo XIV's France visit draws 600k; signals Vatican soft-power push

Pope Leo XIV's September 26, 2026 mass in Paris is expected to draw over 600,000 attendees, part of a broader visit to Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz. The visit underscores the Vatican's diplomatic engagement with France, a historically secular state, and may signal a strategic emphasis on Catholic social influence in Europe. The scale of turnout and the Pope's itinerary suggest a deliberate soft-power initiative, though the specific political or ecclesiastical objectives remain unstated.