Pope Leo has pledged to strengthen efforts to protect children from abuse within the Catholic Church after meeting survivors of clerical abuse during his visit to France.
The pope spent two hours meeting seven survivors privately on Sunday, listening to their experiences and proposals for improving the Church’s safeguarding measures, according to the Vatican.
The meeting came as pressure continues to mount on the Catholic Church to address decades of abuse and ensure that survivors’ concerns lead to concrete action.
The Vatican said Leo thanked the survivors for sharing their experiences and reaffirmed his determination to prevent others from suffering similar harm.
The issue has become a major challenge for the Church in France, particularly following a 2021 investigation that estimated around 330,000 children had experienced abuse by Catholic clergy and lay officials over a period of seven decades.
Speaking earlier at a Mass attended by an estimated 150,000 people near the Catholic shrine in Lourdes, Leo called on the Church to confront its past honestly.
He said the Church needed to acknowledge its failures and place itself under scrutiny in order to address the wounds caused by abuse and other wrongdoing.
The pope also raised the issue during a private meeting with French bishops, thanking them for measures already taken while urging them to maintain vigilance and strengthen safeguarding efforts.
Survivors demand more than promises
Despite the significance of the meeting, some survivors remain cautious about whether the pope’s words will translate into rapid change.
Michèle Le Reun-Gaigné, co-president of a survivors’ association in western France, said she remained sceptical that the Church would resolve the issue quickly.
Her comments reflect concerns among survivors that progress has been too slow and that further action is needed beyond meetings and public statements.
Leo has previously addressed clerical abuse during his papacy. During a visit to Spain in June, he urged bishops to listen to survivors and provide reparations.
His latest meeting in France places renewed attention on how the Church responds to victims and strengthens protections for children.
Lourdes visit highlights wider Church tensions
The pope’s visit to Lourdes also brought renewed attention to another controversy involving the Church.
The shrine features mosaics created by Marko Rupnik, a prominent religious artist who has faced sexual abuse allegations from more than 20 women. The allegations have drawn renewed scrutiny as the Vatican deals with the case.
The mosaics were covered with large yellow tarpaulins during Leo’s visit.
Beyond the abuse crisis, Leo used his visit to reinforce other Catholic positions, including the Church’s opposition to assisted dying.
Addressing volunteers who care for sick pilgrims, he stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable people and said healthcare should focus on caring for suffering patients rather than ending their lives.
With large crowds gathering throughout his French tour, Leo’s meetings with survivors have placed the Church’s handling of abuse firmly among the central issues confronting his papacy.