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

Pope Leo XIV has scheduled a meeting with clergy abuse survivors during his upcoming four-day trip to France, the Vatican announced. The visit, set for September 25-28, will include stops at UNESCO headquarters, a meeting with French bishops in Lourdes, and an interreligious gathering in Metz. The Vatican emphasized that survivors will be involved in preparing for the meeting, though specific details about the timing and location have not yet been disclosed.

This meeting follows Pope Leo XIV’s recent engagement with six abuse survivors during his trip to Spain, where the Catholic Church has been addressing its historical legacy of abuse and cover-up. The pontiff has shown a commitment to addressing clergy sexual abuse, as evidenced by his appointment of French Bishop Thibault Verny to lead the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission.

France has faced significant scrutiny over clergy sexual abuse, with a 2021 report estimating that 330,000 children were sexually abused by church personnel over a span of 70 years. Pope Leo XIV’s decision to meet with survivors in France underscores the Church’s ongoing efforts to confront past failures and seek accountability.

The September trip marks Leo’s fourth foreign visit of the year, following stops in Monaco, Africa, and Spain. The Vatican also confirmed plans for his first Latin American trip as pontiff in November, including visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, where he previously served.

During the France visit, Pope Leo XIV will begin in Paris, meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. He will address authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps before delivering a speech at UNESCO headquarters. The visit will conclude with a prayer vigil with young people at the national stadium.

On the second day of his trip, the pope will focus on social inclusion and active participation, visiting the Maison Bakhita center for social support and integration. He will also meet with a synodal assembly that involves laypeople in church matters and recently baptized Catholics. The visit to Lourdes will include prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions and a meeting with staff and sick individuals at the Accueil Notre-Dame. The trip will close with a traditional Rosary and torc ceremony.

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