Pope Leo Pledges Action on Clergy Abuse After Meeting French Survivors

Lourdes, France: Pope Leo has reaffirmed his commitment to preventing abuse by Catholic priests after meeting seven French survivors in Lourdes during his four-day visit to France. The two-hour meeting included private conversations with each survivor, who shared their experiences and proposals for improving safeguarding measures.

The meeting came hours after Leo told about 150,000 people in Lourdes that the Church must confront its past failures and heal the 'deep wounds' caused by wrongdoing within its ranks. He also urged French bishops to remain highly vigilant and continue efforts to protect children and respond to victims.

The Pope thanked the survivors for their testimony and said he was committed to ensuring that others do not suffer similar abuse. Some survivor groups, however, have questioned whether the meeting will lead to rapid changes, with campaigners calling for stronger and lasting action.

Leo's visit also carries a wider European focus. On Monday, he was due to speak in Metz about Europe's future and the importance of closer European integration, giving the final stage of his France trip a broader political and regional dimension.

The visit follows a 2021 French investigation that found widespread sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and lay members over several decades, triggering major scrutiny of the Church's handling of abuse cases.