Pope urges French bishops to sustain efforts against Church abuse
In a private meeting in Lourdes, Leo called for continued vigilance. A 2021 inquiry found about 330,000 people were abused as children in France over seven decades.
Pope Leo urged French bishops to persevere in addressing sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, telling them to “maintain the greatest vigilance” during a private meeting at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The remarks came on the third day of his four-day official visit to France, before he celebrated Mass in Lourdes before thousands of worshippers. The bishops’ meeting was held behind closed doors; the comments were later released to reporters.
Leo acknowledged the bishops’ efforts to confront abuse of minors by clergy or within a church setting, and urged them to continue along the path they had begun.
A 2021 inquiry found that clergy or lay members of the Church had abused about 330,000 people as children in France over 70 years.
A private meeting with abuse survivors was scheduled for later on Sunday. The supplied report does not confirm whether it took place.
