Pope Leo has strongly urged French bishops to eliminate the “scourge” of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. This call to action was made during a private meeting at the Sanctuary of Our Holy Lady of Lourdes, a significant religious site in southern France. His visit comes as part of a four-day official trip to the country.
Addressing the Church’s Past
In 2021, a comprehensive inquiry revealed that around 330,000 minors had been victims of abuse by clergy or lay members in France over the past seven decades. Speaking to the bishops, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of continuing their efforts with “the greatest vigilance” to address this painful issue.
The meeting, which took place behind closed doors, saw the Pope urging the Church leaders to maintain their resolve. His remarks were later shared with the media. Pope Leo also held a meeting with seven survivors of abuse, thanking them for their brave testimonies and reiterating his commitment to prevent future occurrences.
Jean-Marie Delbos, one of the survivors, described the meeting as “extraordinary,” noting that the Pope listened attentively to their stories. “I never imagined I would find myself speaking to the Pope,” he remarked.
A Significant Visit
The Pope’s visit to Lourdes followed a massive gathering in Paris, where approximately 700,000 people gathered at the Place de la Concorde to hear him speak. Crowds lined the Champs-Élysées Avenue, cheering as he passed by in his popemobile.
During his time in Paris, Pope Leo also met with French President Emmanuel Macron. In his Mass, he encouraged Catholics to share their faith with others, emphasizing the role of young people as the “Church of today.” He praised their enthusiasm and the joy they bring to Christian communities.
Despite a decline in regular church attendance in France—from 35% in 1960 to under 5% today—there has been a resurgence in religious interest. The number of adult baptisms has more than doubled in recent years, reaching 10,000 in 2025.
Historical Context and Ongoing Challenges
Sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has been a pervasive issue, dating back to the 1950s. It gained significant media attention in the 1980s in North America, with further revelations in the UK and Ireland. The Boston Globe’s investigative reporting in the early 2000s, later depicted in the film “Spotlight,” shed light on the widespread nature of these abuses and the Church’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable.
A 2004 report commissioned by the Church itself disclosed that over 4,000 U.S. priests had been accused of sexual abuse, involving more than 10,000 children. Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, initiated reforms, including a landmark summit on paedophilia and legal changes to criminalize sexual abuse, yet challenges persist.
Concluding his visit, Pope Leo participated in a torchlight procession and spent time with residents and staff at a health facility in Lourdes. This marks his first official visit to France since becoming the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025. France, despite its secular stance, has deep Catholic roots, and papal visits have been a longstanding tradition.
