The Pope to the French: ‘Do not hide your faith’

During Mass at the Place de la Concorde, the Pope called on French Catholics to move beyond a faith practised solely in private. “Strive to rediscover a radiant horizon, to build a renewed nation starting from its roots nourished by faith. Do not keep your faith in Jesus Christ to yourselves alone, but let it overflow to quench the thirst and fulfil the lives of those you meet. It is up to you to bring hope where discouragement and spiritual barrenness reign,” said Leo XIV in this secular country where the number of baptisms is on the rise. “Indeed, it is by accepting to live in the truth under the gaze of Jesus that we can be authentic.”

The Pope cited the great saints of French history and emphasised that “even today, there are countless people in our society, in our parishes and in our various activities who continue to commit themselves to life, the family, truth, peace, fraternity and justice”. “From this beautiful city of Paris, I pray fervently that the living water of the Holy Spirit may flow out over the whole of France. My thoughts are with you, dear families, who, despite the many difficulties you face every day, persevere courageously in your mission”, added the Pontiff. He then addressed the young people: “You are the Church of today! How wonderful it is to see your enthusiasm, your dynamism, your commitment and your joy within Christian communities. I am also thinking of you, dear catechumens and new believers, as you embark on the journey of faith, conversion and Christian initiation. May the gift of the Holy Spirit make you witnesses, ready to spread the civilisation of love around you,” concluded Leo XIV.

“God has ‘unconditional love’ for us and ‘in his eyes, none of us is a number on an identity card, nor an identification code, but a person, a unique and irreplaceable person’.” The Pope said this in his homily during Mass at the Place de la Concorde. “Seeing you gathered here, dear brothers and sisters, heirs to a long and beautiful history of holiness in France, I say to you: draw, in turn, from this fountain that is the pierced Heart of Jesus. Yes, you thirst for God, for life, for truth, for unity, for peace, for communion, for happiness.”