In brief
Pope Leo XIV addressed French bishops in Lourdes, demanding a renewed fight against the "scourge" of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. He urged the bishops to maintain the greatest vigilance and met privately with survivors after a Mass before a half‑million crowd. The Pope also spoke to the public about living faith and energized young Catholics. With France's Catholic population falling, his visit marks a renewed commitment to protection and healing. His remarks come as France grapples with centuries of abuse cases and a gradual revival in religious participation.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on the third day of a four‑day official trip to France. In a private meeting with French bishops, he called them to root out the “scourge” of sexual abuse by clergy and lay members, and urged them to "maintain the greatest vigilance."
Earlier that day, the Pope celebrated Mass before a crowd of about a half million pilgrims and then sat down with survivors of abuse for a confidential dialogue. The meeting followed a 2021 inquiry that found roughly 330,000 children abused over seven decades in France.
During the Mass, he encouraged Catholics to share their faith openly, stating that it should "overflow" so others may find renewal. He praised the enthusiasm and commitment of young people, calling them "today’s Church."
The Pope’s journey is his first official visit to France since becoming head of the Church in May 2025. Amid a decline in regular worship—the share of the population attending services fell from 35% in 1960 to under 5% today—the Papal visit also aimed to reignite interest in religious life, noting a recent rise in adult baptisms.
A later audience at a Lourdes health facility and a torchlit procession will complete the Pope’s itinerary, as he meets French President Emmanuel Macron and continues to speak to the public about faith, accountability and the future of the Catholic community.
