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Pope Leo XIV met people abused by clergy in Lourdes during his visit to France and said measures would be taken to prevent such cases in the Catholic Church.
According to the Vatican, the pope held a private meeting lasting about two hours with seven survivors on Sunday. Leo XIV spoke individually with each of them, listening to their experiences and suggestions for strengthening the protection of children in the Church.
The Vatican said the pope thanked the participants for sharing their experiences and pledged to work to ensure that similar abuses would never happen again. Some of those who attended described the meeting as emotional and said the pontiff had listened to them attentively.
One survivor, Jerome Guillem, said Pope Leo XIV understood that some progress had been made in France but that much work remained. Another participant, Veronica Garnier, said the private meeting had given her hope, but stressed that survivors expected concrete action rather than promises.
Pope calls on Church to confront its past
Leo XIV addressed about 150,000 people at a Mass held Sunday near the Catholic shrine in Lourdes. He said the Church must show the courage to confront the consequences of harm committed within its ranks and acknowledge past mistakes.
The pope said the Church must seek to heal its “deep wounds, infidelities and painful mistakes.” He also raised the issue later during a private meeting with French bishops.
According to a text released by the Vatican, Leo XIV praised measures taken by French bishops so far, while urging them to remain vigilant and strengthen safeguarding mechanisms.
Scandal in the French Church
The pope’s remarks came five years after the publication of France’s main independent report on abuse in the Catholic Church. The investigation, released in 2021, estimated that about 330,000 children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay Church workers over seven decades.
The report caused widespread outrage in France and intensified calls for accountability, compensation and stronger child-protection measures. French Church leaders hope the pope’s visit will help restore trust after years of revelations.
Controversy surrounding Marko Rupnik
Leo XIV’s visit to Lourdes came amid continuing controversy surrounding Marko Rupnik, a cleric and artist accused of sexual abuse by more than 20 women. It is not known whether Rupnik has publicly responded to the allegations.
Several alleged victims sent an open letter to the pope last week criticizing the Vatican’s handling of the case. Large mosaics created by Rupnik at the Lourdes shrine were covered with yellow sheets during the pope’s visit.
During his visit to France, the pope also reiterated the Catholic Church’s position on assisted dying. Speaking to volunteers caring for sick pilgrims in Lourdes, Leo XIV said healthcare should focus on caring for people who are suffering rather than ending their lives.
His comments came after France legalized assisted dying for some people with incurable illnesses. Leo XIV is on a four-day visit to France and has drawn large crowds at public events in Paris and Lourdes.
