The service drew a prominent audience including Brigitte Macron, Marine Le Pen, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, and billionaire Bernard Arnault. Addressing the assembly, Leo urged followers to reject material excess in favor of spiritual fulfillment, a message designed to help the institution move past the shadow of recent abuse scandals. Beyond the pulpit, the Pope leveled sharp criticism at the United Nations and cautioned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence poses risks to future global stability.
His visit highlights a complex reality for French Catholicism. Despite a recent uptick in adult baptisms, the demographic shift remains stark: only 25% of young adults now identify as Catholic, down from 43% a decade ago. Leo acknowledged these figures while meeting with new converts, advising the clergy to focus on nurturing existing community ties rather than chasing hollow growth. The tour continues in Lourdes, where the Pope is scheduled to meet directly with victims of clergy abuse to address the lingering wounds within the Church.
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