Key French Political Figures Attend Pope Léon XIV's Historic Mass at Place de la Concorde

Pope Léon XIV’s first visit to France, running from September 25 to 28, 2026, has drawn significant attention from prominent political leaders, notably for the large mass scheduled at Place de la Concorde on September 26. The mass is expected to attract up to 600,000 attendees, marking a major event in the lead-up to the 2027 French presidential election.

Several high-profile presidential candidates are attending the mass, including Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella from Rassemblement National, Gabriel Attal representing Renaissance, Édouard Philippe from Horizons, and Bruno Retailleau of Les Républicains. Additionally, Éric Zemmour and Sarah Knafo of Reconquête will be present, though Zemmour has yet to officially declare his candidacy. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and former Prime Minister Michel Barnier are also attending, representing official state interests.

President Emmanuel Macron will welcome Pope Léon XIV personally at Orly Airport on September 25 but will notably abstain from attending any masses during the Pope's visit. His wife, Brigitte Macron, will represent him at the mass on September 26. Macron’s decision to skip the mass follows controversy in 2024 when he attended a mass with the previous pope, raising secularism concerns.

Notable political absences at the mass include Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist Party and a candidate in the social-democratic primary, and Marine Tondelier, a candidate from the Ecologist party, signaling varying political stances toward the event.

The Pope’s itinerary also highlights a Friday evening prayer vigil at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where he will be welcomed by the mayor, Bally Bagayoko. The mass and vigil underscore the intersection of faith and politics, coinciding with the political campaign season. The Visit also includes a focus on European unity with a special event planned in Metz on September 28, with multiple EU leaders attending and President Macron expected to give a speech emphasizing European peace and cooperation.

This blend of religious significance and political positioning at Pope Léon XIV's visit paints a complex picture of contemporary French political engagement with faith-based events.