French clergy abuse survivors praise meeting with Pope Leo XIV, say he listened, was informed
Pope Leo XIV met privately for two hours with seven French clerical abuse survivors during his visit to the shrine at Lourdes. Following the closed-door session, the survivors praised the pontiff for listening deeply, showing extraordinary empathy, and demonstrating a strong grasp of the issues. The pope called the sexual abuse a scourge and urged the church to admit its failings, heal deep wounds, and protect the weakest. Survivors also pressed for action on systemic institutional failures that allowed the crisis to persist.
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- ✓ Pope Leo XIV held a private two-hour meeting with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes, France.
- ✓ French clergy abuse survivors described the meeting as extraordinary and praised the pope for listening deeply.
- ✓ Pope Leo XIV decried the scourge of sexual abuse and urged the church to admit failings and heal deep wounds.
What changed
Pope Leo XIV held a private two-hour meeting with seven French clergy abuse survivors in Lourdes.
Live updates
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French Clergy Abuse Survivors Praise Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV met privately for two hours with seven French clerical abuse survivors during his visit to the shrine at Lourdes. Following the closed-door session, the survivors praised the pontiff for listening deeply, showing extraordinary empathy, and demonstrating a strong grasp of the issues. The pope called the sexual abuse a scourge and urged the church to admit its failings, heal deep wounds, and protect the weakest. Survivors also pressed for action on systemic institutional failures that allowed the crisis to persist.
Why it matters
The papal visit to Lourdes brings renewed focus on the Catholic Church handling of clerical abuse and institutional accountability. Pope Leo XIV called for the scourge of abuse to be rooted out while celebrating Mass at the French shrine known for miraculous cures. This encounter highlights ongoing efforts by survivors to demand structural changes from church leadership.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV held a private two-hour meeting with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse in Lourdes, France.
- French clergy abuse survivors described the meeting as extraordinary and praised the pope for listening deeply.
- Pope Leo XIV decried the scourge of sexual abuse and urged the church to admit failings and heal deep wounds.
What to watch next
- Any formal church policy changes or structural actions resulting from the pope meeting with French survivors
- Further statements from the Vatican regarding institutional reforms to address systemic abuse failures
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- AP News — Pope urges protection of weakest at French shrine at Lourdes known for miraculous cures
- BBC — 'Scourge' of abuse must be rooted out, says Pope, during Lourdes visit
- The Guardian — Pope Leo urges healing of ‘deep wounds’ before meeting child sexual abuse survivors in France
- dw.com — Pope decries 'scourge' of sexual abuse, holds Mass in Lourdes during France visit
- ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Pope urges church to admit failings and heal 'deep wounds'
- catholicreview.org — Moved by Pope Leo’s empathy, French abuse survivors urged action on ‘systemic’ failures
- www.hindustantimes.com — French clergy abuse survivors praise meeting with Pope Leo ...
- www.rfi.fr — French church abuse victims praise Pope Leo for ... - RFI
- www.vaticannews.va — Abuse victims in Lourdes: ‘Pope listened deeply, was pained ...
- www.osvnews.com — At Lourdes, Pope Leo XIV holds private meeting with abuse ...
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