Pope addresses massive youth crowd at Stade de France, calls for peace
The Pope arrived at the Stade de France where a large gathering of young people greeted him, chanting and cheering as his papamobile circulated the field.
At the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, the Pope made a public appearance that sparked an enthusiastic response from a sizable group of young people. The crowd rose in unison to chant his name and followed his papamobile as it moved around the field, creating a scene reminiscent of a sporting event. After periods of applause, the Pope spoke directly to the assembled youth, describing them as “the saints of faith” and expressing joy at their numbers and desire for peace.
He noted that challenges like wars, climate change and artificial intelligence weigh heavily on young minds. Concluding his address, he invited the audience to pray and placed confidence in Jesus, emphasizing that the Pope would not abandon them.
Why it matters
The Pope’s message to a large youth audience underscores the Catholic Church’s focus on global issues and its appeal to younger generations.
How this story developed
- Sep 15 Pope Leon XIV's French tour set for mostly sunny weather across three cities
- Sep 25 Pope Leo XIV arrived in Paris and began his four‑day visit with a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
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