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Pope Leo XIV urged French bishops on Sunday to maintain efforts to combat sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, describing it as a “scourge” during his four-day visit to France.
Speaking at a private meeting with the bishops in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, the pope stressed the need for continued vigilance after years of allegations involving the Catholic Church in France, according to a copy of his speech released to the press.
“You have faced with determination the painful scourge of abuse of minors committed by members of the clergy or within an ecclesial context,” he told the bishops.
“You must continue along the path you have begun, maintaining the greatest vigilance,” Pope Leo said. “At the same time, your clergy need to be supported and encouraged.”
Church faces continued scrutiny
The Catholic Church has come under sustained scrutiny in recent years over allegations of sexual abuse and questions about how abuse cases were handled.
The pope’s visit to Lourdes, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, forms part of his four-day trip to France.
