French Catholics hold open air mass to protest against COVID-19 restrictions

Parishioners wearing protective face masks pray at Graslin square during an open air mass in Nantes, as public masses are suspended during the second national lockdown as part of the measures to fight a second wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in France, November 15, 2020. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

NANTES, France (Reuters) - Catholics held an open air mass in the western French city of Nantes on Sunday to protest against COVID-19 restrictions, under which masses are banned in churches.

Some Catholics also gathered by the Saint Louis Cathedral in Versailles, near Paris, but police banned a demonstration planned by Catholics in the capital.