Pope Leo XIV has urged French bishops to persevere in their efforts to combat the "scourge" of clerical sex abuse during a trip to France. The Pope made the remarks during a private meeting with bishops in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes, according to a copy of his speech released to the press. He emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance in addressing the issue. This trip marks the first official papal visit to France in nearly two decades.
A 2021 inquiry found that clergy or lay members of the Church had abused about 330,000 minors in France over 70 years. The Pope's visit comes as the Church faces continued scrutiny over its handling of sex abuse cases. During his trip, Pope Leo met privately with seven victims of clerical abuse, now adults, who shared their experiences with him. One of the victims, an 80-year-old man, was abused as a pupil at Notre-Dame de Betharram, a boarding school at the centre of widespread accusations of physical and sexual abuse.
The Pope's visit to Lourdes is part of a four-day trip to France, a secular country with deep Catholic roots. Lourdes is one of the most important Catholic holy sites in the world, attracting around three million pilgrims each year. On Sunday morning, hymns rang out in a packed field near the sanctuary after Pope Leo blessed the faithful with holy water. Many pilgrims expressed their support for the Pope's efforts to address clerical sex abuse.
The Pope's trip to France comes at a significant time, with the country set to hold a presidential election in the coming months. Ahead of the election, Pope Leo prayed to the Virgin Mary to "obtain for France wise and generous leaders… eager to serve the common good". The Pope's message was welcomed by many, including presidential hopefuls who attended a mass at Paris's Place de la Concorde.
During his trip, Pope Leo also addressed sick pilgrims, rejecting assisted dying, which was legalized in France in June for certain adults suffering from an incurable condition. He stated that "we must reject the temptation to cause death under the guise of false compassion" and added that "what is legal is not necessarily moral". The Pope's comments on the issue were seen as a reflection of the Church's stance on the matter.
Pope Leo's visit to Lourdes marked his third trip to the site, following in the footsteps of Benedict XVI and Jean-Paul II. The Pope's trip was seen as an opportunity for him to connect with French Catholics and address the challenges facing the Church. Many pilgrims expressed their admiration for the Pope and his efforts to reform the Church.
The Pope's trip to France concluded on Sunday, with many pilgrims and French citizens reflecting on his message and legacy. As the Church continues to grapple with the issue of clerical sex abuse, Pope Leo's words of encouragement to French bishops are seen as a significant step towards healing and reform.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV urges French bishops to persevere in their efforts to combat clerical sex abuse during a four-day trip to France.
- The Pope meets privately with seven victims of clerical abuse, now adults, who shared their experiences with him.
- Pope Leo rejects assisted dying, which was legalized in France in June, stating that it is not necessarily moral.
