Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass for 150,000 at Lourdes

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for at least 150,000 people on the esplanade of the Sanctuary of Lourdes on Sunday, September 27. The gathering occurred on the third day of his apostolic journey in France.

Before the Mass, the pope met with French bishops in the chapel dedicated to St. Bernadette. During his homily, which focused on the sick and those who suffer, the pope addressed pilgrims from France and around the world. He described the gathering as the universal face of the Church and encouraged pilgrims to bring the consolation of Lourdes back to their homes, parishes, and neighbors.

In his message, the pope spoke about the call to conversion. He explained that the refusal of people to repent wounds the heart of Christ because God does not want his children to be lost.