Pope Leo to meet with clergy abuse survivors during upcoming trip to France
The Vatican said survivors will help prepare the private encounter as the 2021 French inquiry estimated 330,000 abused minors over seven decades.
- On Friday, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will meet with clergy abuse survivors during a four-day trip to France next month, scheduled for September 25-28, including stops at UNESCO headquarters and an interreligious meeting in Metz.
- A 2021 report estimated 330,000 children had been sexually abused by church personnel in France over 70 years; the pontiff recently appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican's child protection advisory commission.
- Leo met with six abuse survivors during his recent trip to Spain, where the Catholic hierarchy has only recently begun reckoning with its legacy of abuse and cover-up after long dismissing the scandal.
- The itinerary includes an Elysée Palace meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, followed by visits to the Grotto of the Apparitions in Lourdes and an interreligious conference in Metz honoring Robert Schuman.
- While his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, mostly avoided large European centers during his 12-year pontificate, Leo appears to be paying more attention to the experience of the European faithful through this state visit.
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Pope Leo XIV To Highlight Life, Unity, and Meet With Clergy Abuse Survivors During France Visit
Pope Leo XIV is pictured with the logo and motto, “That the world may have life,” for his Sept. 25-28, 2026, apostolic journey to France. The pope’s first visit to France will include stops in Paris, Lourdes and Metz and a private meeting with survivors of abuse in the Church. (Photo: OSV News/courtesy Pope in France) by Paulina Guzik (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV will make a four-day apostolic journey to France Sept. 25-28, with a program that stre…
In France, pope to highlight life, unity; Vatican confirms he'll meet with abuse victims
(OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV will make a four-day apostolic journey to France Sept. 25-28, with a program that stretches from the Élysée Palace and UNESCO in Paris to the Marian shrine of Lourdes and a final stop in Metz, and it will include a private meeting with victims of abuse in the Church, the Vatican has confirmed. The Holy See Press Office released the detailed schedule Aug. 7, along with a statement to journalists saying, “During his upcom…
On his fifth apostolic journey, which will take place from 25 to 28 September
The Vatican has confirmed that Leo XIV will meet with victims of abuses by the clergy on his trip to France from 25 to 28 September, although it is not part of the official agenda. This meeting is not a surprise for two reasons: the Pope had a similar one when he visited Spain and the French bishops had already announced it in early July. Although they did not specify the place, the number or who would attend, local media indicated as favorite o…
Pope Leo XIV to meet with clerical abuse victims during France trip
Ahead of a papal visit to France, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will 'meet privately with individuals who have been victims of abuse.' The pontiff promised the Catholic Church would make 'additional efforts' to address this issue.
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