Pope Leo XIV Meets French Clergy Abuse Survivors, Pledges Further Reforms in Vatican Efforts to Address Systemic Issues

Pope Leo XIV met with survivors of clerical abuse in Lourdes, France, on September 27, 2026, to discuss the impact of the global sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. The survivors, now adults, included Veronique Garnier, Olivier Mardi, Jerome Guillement, Bertrand Virieux, and Jean-Marie Delbos. They shared their painful testimonies, which the Pope acknowledged with gratitude, reaffirming his commitment to ending harm by Catholic priests.

The meeting was described as emotional and touching by the participants. Survivor Jean-Marie Delbos recounted a particularly moving moment when the Pope, upon seeing his state, embraced him. This gesture was seen as a profound expression of compassion and understanding.

The survivors expressed that they felt heard and were impressed by the Pope’s compassion and knowledge of their individual cases. Jerome Guillement, who has publicly written about his experiences, highlighted the Pope’s recognition of the systemic nature of sexual abuse within the Church. He noted that while the Pope acknowledged the efforts made by the Church in France, he also emphasized the significant work that remains to be done.

The Pope’s visit to France, part of a four-day trip, aimed to address the Church’s standing after a 2021 inquiry revealed that approximately 330,000 French children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over seven decades. During a Mass attended by an estimated 150,000 people near the Lourdes shrine, the Pope called for the Church to courageously confront its past.

Veronique Garnier, another survivor, expressed mixed feelings about the Mass, noting that while the Pope mentioned abuse, he did not directly apologize. She reflected on the hope for genuine change and deep listening, rather than superficial acknowledgment. This sentiment aligns with the biblical call to justice and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8, urging acts of justice and compassion.

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