Pope Leo XIV to Meet with Clergy Abuse Survivors During France Trip

Pope Leo XIV will meet with survivors of clergy abuse during his upcoming four-day trip to France, which includes a visit to UNESCO headquarters, a meeting with French bishops in Lourdes, and an interreligious gathering in Metz. The Vatican has announced that the meeting with abuse survivors will be a key component of the visit, with the victims themselves involved in its planning. Details on the timing and location will be shared at a later date.

This meeting underscores the Pope’s ongoing commitment to addressing clergy abuse, a commitment further evidenced by his recent appointment of French Bishop Thibault Verny to lead the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission. In France, a 2021 report estimated that 330,000 children were sexually abused by church personnel over 70 years, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and accountability.

During a recent trip to Spain, Pope Leo XIV met with six abuse survivors, marking a significant step for a Catholic hierarchy that has only recently begun to confront its history of abuse and cover-up. This commitment to justice and accountability aligns with the biblical call to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

The Pope’s visit to France, from September 25-28, will be his fourth foreign trip of the year, following visits to Monaco, four African nations, Spain, and the Canary Islands. His itinerary includes a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, where he will address authorities and civic leaders. This trip also sets the stage for his first visit to Latin America as pontiff, with planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, where he served for over three decades. Through these engagements, Pope Leo XIV continues to emphasize the importance of transparency, repentance, and care for victims, embodying the principles of justice and mercy central to the faith.

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