Paris: Difference between revisions

|populated_place_name=Paris

|country=France

|administrative_subdivision=Île-de-France

|type=City

|population=2150000

|catholic_percentage=61

|parishes_count=106

|notable_catholic_sites=Notre-Dame Cathedral; Basilica of the Sacred Heart; Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Rue du Bac); Saint-Sulpice Church; Sainte-Chapelle

|patron_saint=Saint Genevieve

|coordinates=48.8566, 2.3522

|area_sq_km=105

|website=https://www.paris.fr

'''Paris''' (French: ''Paris'') is the capital and most populous city of [[France]], located on the Seine River in the north-central part of the country within the [[Île-de-France]] region. With a municipal population of approximately 2,152,000 as of 2025 estimates, it serves as the seat of the [[Archdiocese of Paris]], a metropolitan see encompassing the city proper and overseeing one of Europe's oldest Christian communities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pari0.htm |title=Archdiocese of Paris |publisher=GCatholic.org |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> As a historic cradle of Catholicism—where early martyrs like [[Saint Denis of Paris|Saint Denis]] preached and where medieval scholasticism flourished at the Sorbonne—Paris remains a global pilgrimage hub, drawing millions to its Gothic cathedrals and shrines despite secular trends, embodying the Church's enduring call to beauty, charity, and conversion.

Founded as a Gallic settlement around 250 BC, Paris (Lutetia) became Romanized by the 1st century AD. According to early Church histories, Christianity arrived via trade routes from Lyon; the first bishop, Saint Denis (d. c. 250), was martyred by beheading on Montmartre hill, carrying his head to his burial site in Saint-Denis, as hagiographic tradition holds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church_in_France |title=History of the Catholic Church in France |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> By the 4th century, baptisms occurred in the Seine, and the Diocese of Paris was formally recognized.

Clovis I's baptism in 496 by [[Saint Remigius]] marked Frankish conversion, elevating Paris as a royal and ecclesiastical center. The 12th century saw Notre-Dame's construction (1163–1345), symbolizing Gothic innovation and Marian devotion. Scholastic giants like [[Saint Thomas Aquinas]] taught at the University of Paris (founded c. 1150), shaping theology. The 17th century birthed reforms: [[Saint Vincent de Paul]] founded the [[Lazarists]] (1625) for the poor, while [[Saint Louise de Marillac]] co-established the [[Daughters of Charity]].

The French Revolution (1789–1799) devastated the Church: 200 priests guillotined, Notre-Dame desecrated as a "Temple of Reason." Evidence suggests over 50% of clergy swore the Civil Constitution oath, fracturing unity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.historytoday.com/archive/french-revolution-and-catholic-church |title=The French Revolution and the Catholic Church |publisher=History Today |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> Napoleon's Concordat (1801) restored hierarchy, with 42 parishes by 1815.

The 19th century witnessed revivals: the Miraculous Medal apparitions to Saint Catherine Labouré (1830) at Rue du Bac; Sacré-Cœur's construction (1875–1914) as penance for the Commune. The 1905 laïcité law separated Church and state, deconsecrating sites, yet the archdiocese endured. As of 2024, it serves 1,307,750 Catholics through 106 parishes, amid declining practice.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pari0.htm |title=Archdiocese of Paris – Statistics |publisher=GCatholic.org |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> Under Archbishop Laurent Ulrich (since 2022), initiatives like perpetual adoration at Sacré-Cœur sustain vitality, with Jubilee 2025 emphasizing mercy.

Paris lies at {{coord|48|51|23|N|2|21|8|E}} on the Seine's banks, covering 105 square kilometers of low-lying plains ideal for processions and riverside baptisms.

As of 2025, the municipal population is approximately 2,152,000, with Catholics comprising 60.7% (1,307,750 baptized) per diocesan records, though active participation is lower (around 10–15%).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pari0.htm |title=Archdiocese of Paris |publisher=GCatholic.org |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_France |title=Catholic Church in France |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> French is official; multilingual liturgies serve diverse immigrants.

* Cardinal [[Jean-Marie Lustiger]] (1926–2007) – Archbishop (1981–2005); convert and scholar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/pari0.htm |title=Archdiocese of Paris |publisher=GCatholic.org |access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref>