What happened
Two large gatherings recently took place in France, highlighting the country's deep divisions. On September 26, approximately 800,000 people attended a Mass hosted by Pope Leo XIV at Place de la Concorde. In contrast, a nationwide student protest on October 6 over school funding drew around 256,000 people across France and 56,000 in Paris, with some areas experiencing violence.
According to reports, some protesters attacked teachers and principals, set schools on fire, and waved flags of various countries and organizations. Meanwhile, the massive turnout at the Mass suggests that many in France still hold strong Christian beliefs.
Commentator Glenn Beck notes that these two events represent the struggle between two opposing forces in France, which he believes have been at odds for over 200 years. He draws parallels between the current situation and the French Revolution, during which the nation was split and many Christian symbols and traditions were destroyed or suppressed.
Beck recounts how, after the revolution, the cathedral of Notre Dame was converted into a Temple of Reason, and Christian worship was banned. However, he also notes that many French citizens quietly preserved their Christian heritage, even burying smashed stone heads of kings under a courtyard to protect them.
Beck warns that the current unrest in France, including the violent protests and the resurgence of Christian faith, is a sign that the country is still grappling with its identity and values. He suggests that the void left by the decline of Christian faith in France has been filled by other ideologies, including Islam.
