Pope Leo XIV to Meet France Abuse Survivors in September

The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Leo XIV will meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse during his September 25-28 visit to France, offering a chance for healing in a country still processing decades of pain.

The meeting will include several survivors who will help plan the encounter themselves. The Vatican will announce timing and location details later, prioritizing the comfort and input of those most affected.

France has confronted an especially dark legacy. A landmark 2021 report revealed that 330,000 children suffered sexual abuse by church personnel over 70 years, forcing the Catholic hierarchy to face uncomfortable truths about institutional failures and cover-ups.

Leo has made addressing clergy abuse a cornerstone of his papacy. He recently appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican's child protection advisory commission, signaling ongoing commitment to systemic change.

During his recent Spain trip, the Pope met with six abuse survivors in a country just beginning its own reckoning with similar scandals. These private meetings allow survivors to share their stories directly with the Church's highest leader, creating space for acknowledgment many waited decades to receive.

The France visit includes stops that blend tradition with inclusion. Leo will address President Emmanuel Macron and speak at UNESCO headquarters in Paris before celebrating vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral and holding a prayer vigil with young people at the national stadium.

In Lourdes, one of Catholicism's most sacred pilgrimage sites, he'll pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions and meet with sick pilgrims. The trip concludes in Metz near the German border with an interreligious gathering honoring Robert Schuman, a Catholic statesman and European integration founder.

The Ripple Effect

Leo's focus on European faithful marks a shift from his predecessor Pope Francis, who largely avoided major European Christian centers during his 12-year papacy. Francis visited France only twice and never made a state visit to Paris.

By centering survivors in trip planning and maintaining consistent dialogue about abuse, the Church signals that healing requires more than apologies. It demands ongoing action, transparency, and giving voice to those long silenced by institutional power.

The September visit represents Leo's fourth international trip this year, following journeys to Monaco, four African nations, and Spain. He'll visit Latin America in November, including Argentina and Peru where he served for over three decades.

For survivors and advocates worldwide, these meetings offer hope that the Church's words about change might finally match meaningful action.