Pope Leo to Meet 7 Abuse Survivors in Lourdes During France Trip
- On Friday, Pope Leo XIV begins a four-day visit to France, culminating on Sunday in Lourdes where he will meet privately with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse.
- A landmark 2021 report found that 330,000 French children were abused by Catholic clergy over seven decades, sparking nationwide shock and fueling ongoing demands for institutional accountability.
- The seven participants stated, "Dialogue does not mean endorsement. Being received does not mean giving up our demands," emphasizing they do not represent all victims of Church abuse.
- Beyond the Lourdes meeting, Pope Leo will meet French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and address UNESCO staff, culminating with a speech on peace in Metz.
- Critics note that survivors were excluded from the selection process managed by bishops rather than victims, as activists argue words of compassion are "no longer enough" to address systemic abuse.
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345 Articles
On the last day of his visit, Leo XIV recalled the spirit of Europe, which he sees as a means against a "downside spiral". Europe experiences a "unexampled encounter between peoples and cultures calling for the creative rediscovery of our roots".
In eastern France, he paid tribute to Robert Schuman, considered one of the founders of European unity.
In a speech on Europe held in France and followed with great interest, Pope Leon XIV urged the belligerent parties to make concessions to ensure peace in Ukraine, reports Politico.
The Pope laments that international relations "are becoming ever more barbaric, encouraging Europeans to continue to counterbalance it.
The re-arming of Europe, which Europe's politicians are talking about today, will not make it possible to achieve lasting peace. For its sake, we must be prepared to yield.
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