Pope Leo drew 800,000 to Mass in the heart of Paris. Six young men with Down Syndrome served at Pope Leo XIV’s Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, following a personal request made to the Pope.

The initiative began when 11-year-old Théophile, during an audience granted by Pope Leo to the Lejeune Foundation at the Vatican, presented him with a letter signed by the six young men. They asked for the privilege of serving at the Pope’s Mass during his visit to Paris.

The Pope accepted their request, creating a powerful public moment of inclusion within the Church’s liturgical life.

Théophile was taught to serve Mass by Maxime, 22, who also has Down Syndrome. Maxime serves as a thurifer at Saint-Marc parish in Bécon-les-Bruyères, north-west of Paris.

François, 28, the oldest of the group, serves Holy Mass daily at Saint-Augustin parish in Paris. They were joined by Foucauld, Timothée and Jérôme.
Their participation highlighted the important contribution that people with Down Syndrome can make to the life of the Church when given the opportunity to serve.