Pope meets victims

Pope Leo XIV met seven abuse survivors in Lourdes, France, on Sunday evening to listen to their stories and ensure this evil is not repeated.

“The Pope met each of them individually and in private, listening to their stories, to the pain and suffering they had endured, sometimes, sadly, with the complicity or silence of those who could have helped them, and to their proposals to ensure that this does not happen again.”

Victims' backgrounds

Five victims include Jean-Marie Delbos, a key witness in a Notre-Dame de Betharram boarding school abuse case, and Véronique Garnier, who wrote books about severe abuse after years of silence.

Pope's commitment

Pope Leo XIV pledged to ensure abuse would not repeat by listening to victims, seeking justice, and implementing prevention measures.

“He spent a few moments in prayer with some of them”

Systemic reforms

The French Bishops' Conference has implemented reforms since 2021 based on the CIASE report finding 210,000 minors abused by 3,000 clergy between 1950 and 2020.

Pope's call for vigilance

Pope Leo XIV urged bishops to exercise 'utmost vigilance' and continue reforms to protect victims and prevent future abuse.

“I know that some moments have been very difficult for your Conference”

Anonymous victims

Two victims chose anonymity, including one abused by Abbé Pierre, a prominent French Church figure.

Pope's prayer request

Pope Leo XIV asked victims to pray for him and work together to create communities where abuse survivors find healing.

“expressing his hope that they could work together so that the community of the faithful might increasingly become a place where men and women of every age can find comfort and healing”