Enthusiastic young people welcome Pope Leo XIV at the Stade de France

There are many young people for the Pope's visit to the Stade de France. Among them, those from the diocese of Saint-Denis, who came to attend this meeting. "Frankly, I'm so excited, I'm not ready, actually. It's incredible, I don't even have the words. The Pope is coming to 93, it's incredible," said one of them.

For this young girl, the pope's arrival in Seine-Saint-Denis is also a special moment: "Each time, we tend to criticize the 93, to put it aside, but here, the pope, he comes to address a word to us, the Catholic youth in France, and even to those who are not necessarily believers, he is addressing all of France."

“A message to young people”

Among the young people, some had already met him in Rome: "We saw him when we were at the jubilee in Rome last year. I'm also very happy because the Pope is going to give a message to the young people. I'm really very excited, very happy and I'm really looking forward to it." “It’s something beautiful and interesting to see so many young people,” said another participant. “Having the pope in France has not happened for more than 18 years in Paris. So, it’s a beautiful message of peace and tranquility for France and the country.”

In the stands, the young people are settling down. Before the arrival of the pope, several musical groups follow one another. Then the excitement builds: “That’s it, he’s coming!”, observes a participant. "He's right there, there, in red. Incredible. It's incredible, that's it. We have to welcome him properly."

“An immense desire for freedom”

From the stands, they see the popemobile. “The first thing I would like to say is very simple,” Pope Leo XIV begins. “Thank you. Thank you God. Thank you. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your presence.” In the stands, young people say they feel “joy, emotion”. The sovereign pontiff continues: "Thank you for your faith. You are the saints of France. Young people of France, you carry in your hearts an immense desire for freedom. May Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

After a series of rituals and prayers, the vigil at the Stade de France ends. “It was incredible, we saw the Pope for the first time, he came to Saint-Denis, we who are Dionysians, so happy,” declares a young person from the diocese of Saint-Denis.

“It made me happy to see Pope Leo up close,” rejoices another. “It was nice to see so many young people coming together. It warmed my heart a little.” And among the Pope's words, it was that of peace that particularly struck this young participant. "For me, it is above all peace. And at the moment, as we see a little of what is happening on Earth, there is a lack of peace. And when we have a pope like that, who comes, it is a pleasure. And as one could say: may peace be with you."