Thousands of people turned out to greet the Pope during his visit to France, according to a BBC report examining the enthusiasm surrounding the event.
The response has drawn attention because of the level of public interest in the visit. The BBC’s Hugh Schofield looks at why the Pope’s arrival has been met with such enthusiasm.
The Church attributes the warm reception to growing spirituality among the French. That explanation places the public response in the context of what the Church describes as renewed spiritual interest in France.
Beyond the size of the turnout, the report focuses on what the welcome may indicate about the relationship between the French public and the Church. The enthusiasm surrounding the visit has prompted questions about the reasons people were drawn to greet the Pope.
The available information does not provide further details about the visit, the locations involved or the Pope’s schedule. What is known is that thousands came out in France and that the Church links the reception to growing spirituality among the French.
