Pope Leo XIV to Meet Survivors of Clerical Abuse in Lourdes Amid Calls for Action
Pope Leo XIV will meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse by priests and Catholic personnel in Lourdes, France, during his visit, drawing scrutiny from critics demanding greater action from the church regarding the issue.
Philadelphia, PA, September 22, 2026 —
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to hold a private meeting with seven survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by priests and Catholic personnel. The meeting is set to take place in Lourdes, France, during the Pope’s upcoming visit to the region.
This encounter is drawing significant attention and scrutiny from various groups and critics who are calling for increased and more decisive action from the Catholic Church in addressing the widespread issue of sexual abuse.
Details regarding the specific date and time of the private meeting were not provided. The identities of the seven survivors participating in the meeting have also not been disclosed. Furthermore, the specific nature of the demands from critics seeking greater action from the church were not detailed in the available information. The context of the Pope’s visit to Lourdes and its relation to this meeting was also not specified.
The Catholic Church has faced persistent challenges and criticism concerning its handling of historical and ongoing cases of sexual abuse by clergy and staff. Advocates and survivors have long urged the institution to implement more robust safeguarding measures, ensure accountability for perpetrators and those who enabled abuse, and provide more comprehensive support for victims.
This private meeting in Lourdes is seen by some as a potential step towards acknowledging the experiences of survivors and engaging directly with the impact of the abuse crisis. However, critics are emphasizing the need for substantive policy changes and concrete actions that extend beyond private encounters to demonstrate a genuine commitment to reform and justice within the church’s structures.
The outcome of this meeting and the subsequent response from the Vatican will be closely watched by survivor advocacy groups, the wider public, and religious authorities as discussions continue regarding the path forward for the Church in confronting this sensitive issue.
Story summarized from the original created by SYLVIE CORBET on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
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