Pope Leo XIV will meet in France with victims of violence perpetrated by members of the clergy
During his visit to France on September 25–28, Pope Leo XIV will meet with several people who have survived abuse by members of the clergy. The Vatican announced this on Friday, according to France 24.
The Holy See issued a brief statement regarding the planned meeting. It noted that the survivors will be involved in its preparation. The Vatican will announce the time and location at a later date.
During a recent trip to Spain, Pope Leo XIV already met with six survivors of abuse. Last month, he appointed French Bishop Thibault Vernet as head of the Vatican’s advisory commission on child protection. According to France 24, this signaled the pontiff’s commitment to continuing the fight against sexual abuse by the clergy.
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According to a 2021 report, approximately 330,000 children in France may have been sexually abused by church personnel over a 70-year period.
The trip to France will be Pope Leo XIV’s fourth foreign visit this year. On September 25, he will begin his itinerary in Paris with a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. The pontiff will address representatives of the government, civil society, and the diplomatic corps, and will also speak at UNESCO headquarters. That same day, he will celebrate Vespers at Notre Dame Cathedral and lead a prayer vigil with young people at the national stadium.
The following day, the Pope will visit the Maison Bakhita social support and integration center, meet with the Synodal Assembly, and meet with newly baptized Catholics. Later, he will travel to Lourdes, where he is scheduled to pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions, meet with French bishops, staff, and patients at Accueil Notre-Dame, and lead a rosary and candlelight procession. The trip will conclude in Metz with an interfaith meeting at the Robert Schuman Conference Center.
