Pope Leo XIV to Meet Sexual Abuse Survivors During France Visit

PARIS: Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and other Church personnel during his four-day visit to France, with the encounter expected to draw close attention amid continuing calls for stronger action against abuse.

The meeting is scheduled for Sunday in Lourdes, one of the Catholic Church’s major pilgrimage destinations. The French Bishops’ Conference said the seven participants include people who experienced abuse as minors or adults in Catholic schools, parishes and religious congregations.

The survivors said in a joint statement that they do not claim to represent all victims. They emphasized that participating in dialogue with the pope does not mean abandoning their demands and that each participant would speak in their own name and according to their own views.

The meeting comes as the French Catholic Church continues efforts to address its history of sexual abuse. A 2021 report estimated that around 330,000 children in France had been sexually abused over seven decades by priests, other clergy members, Church workers and volunteers. The Church has subsequently established an independent compensation system for survivors.

The Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation (INIRR) said Tuesday that 1,969 people who were abused as children had come forward during the past five years as part of a reparations program. Some survivors and advocacy groups have called for additional institutional measures, including reforms in seminary education and stronger responses to allegations of abuse.

The selection of the seven participants has also generated criticism from some survivor advocates. Marie Derain de Vaucresson, head of the INIRR, described the meeting as a missed opportunity because she had hoped the pope would hear a more collective message from established survivor organizations. Other advocates have similarly called for broader engagement and concrete measures beyond listening to survivors’ experiences.

Pope Leo previously met six survivors of clergy sexual abuse during his visit to Spain in June. According to the Vatican, he listened to their experiences and recommendations and pledged to consider their suggestions for improving the Church’s response to the abuse crisis.

During his September 25–28 visit to France, Pope Leo is also scheduled to travel to Paris, Lourdes and Metz, meet French authorities and young people, visit UNESCO headquarters and participate in events focused on Europe, peace and unity.