Vast crowd greets pope in France 

PARIS, Sept 26: Throngs of people gathered on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris on Saturday as Pope Leo arrived for the biggest event of his weekend visit to France, an outdoor Mass drawing an estimated 700,000 people.

Crowds stretched 2.2 km (1.4 miles) across central Paris from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, waving white and yellow flags and pressing against security barriers for a glimpse of the pontiff.

Chants of "Leo, Leo" and "Long live the Pope" echoed down the tree-lined boulevard as the pope was driven by in an open-top popemobile. The vehicle paused frequently, with Leo blessing babies, children and people with disabilities passed forward by volunteers.�" REUTERS