Pope Leo draws massive crowds in France. Is Catholicism making a comeback?

For a few days, France, known for its secularism, appeared to be experiencing a Catholic revival as Pope Leo XIV visited. An estimated 800,000 people attended his outdoor Mass in Paris, and 80,000 young people participated in a vibrant prayer vigil at the Stade de France. In Lourdes, over 150,000 gathered for Sunday Mass. This enthusiasm was notable in a country where many clergy were executed during the French Revolution. The French Ambassador to the Holy See described the visit as a significant exchange, encouraging youth to embrace peace and the future. Despite this, France remains largely secular, with 51% of people aged 18 to 59 identifying as having no religion. Catholicism accounts for 29%, while other Christian denominations and Islam are growing. Recent French laws, such as those supporting abortion rights and assisted dying, highlight the gap between Catholic teachings and public policy. QUESTION: How might the growing diversity of religious beliefs in France influence its cultural and social landscape in the future?