https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/french-clergy-abuse-survivors-praise-meeting-with-pope-leo-xiv-say-he-listened-was-informedContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/french-clergy-abuse-survivors-praise-meeting-with-pope-leo-xiv-say-he-listened-was-informedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/french-clergy-abuse-survivors-praise-meeting-with-pope-leo-xiv-say-he-listened-was-informed#u89031Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:16:09 +0000Pope 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 mattersThe papal visit to Lourdes brings renewed focus on the