#EU #France #Saint-Denis – Some 80,000 young Catholics filled the Stade de France on Friday evening for a prayer vigil with Pope Leo XIV, turning the country’s largest sports stadium into a vast outdoor church on the first night of his apostolic visit to France.
A red carpet in the shape of a cross ran across the field. A giant screen above the stage displayed a glowing rose window. The evening opened with a concert-style prologue. Natasha St-Pier performed with French Christian singer Grégory Turpin. They were followed by the pop-worship collective Pop Louange, Eurovision contestant Monroe, the duo Les Frangines, singer Anisha Jo, Sarcelles rapper Tagra and the reggae-influenced group Les Guetteurs. A choir of about 2,500 young singers from Ecclesia Cantic, backed by an orchestra, later filled the stadium with an “Ave Maria” and other hymns. The crowd answered with waves and chants of “Leo! Leo!”
The official vigil began with a parade of church delegations: catechumens, pilgrims, priests, nuns and religious from across France. About 130 elite athletes, including Olympic judo champion Aurélien Diesse and former France goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau, entered in a sequence reminiscent of an Olympic opening ceremony. MMA fighter Benoît Saint-Denis carried a flag. A white statue of the Virgin Mary was carried through the arena. One procession evoked Lyon’s Festival of Lights.
The night’s centerpiece was a roughly 18- to 20-minute theatrical spectacle titled “In the Footsteps of the Saints of France.” About 400 extras and horses took part in ten tableaux, each linked to a virtue. Horse-drawn floats presented Saint Blandina facing Roman soldiers in period costume and Joan of Arc surrounded by knights. Other scenes honored humility through Saint Louis and courage through Joan of Arc. The sequence ended with fireworks launched from the stadium roof.
Later, more than 150 embroidered banners and about 60 relics from dioceses, shrines and religious communities crossed the field during the Litany of the Saints. Relics included those of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, St. Martin of Tours and Blessed Pauline Jaricot. The most striking display came near the end: the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil, traditionally venerated as the garment worn by Christ during the Passion, was brought from its basilica a few miles away and presented in a monumental reliquary for a moment of silence. Three young people then offered the pope a small statue of the Virgin and Child. Another burst of fireworks lit the roof as the choir sang “Alleluia.”
In his address, Pope Leo XIV thanked the crowd for their courage and faith. “You are the saints of France,” he told them. He spoke of a deep desire for freedom in French culture and said true liberty came from a living relationship with Jesus rather than from consumerism or social-media approval. He warned against a lifestyle that left people “having everything but being nobody” and urged the young to keep their hearts open to others’ suffering.
Cover Image: Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd at the prayer vigil as he rides on the Pope-mobile.
