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Pope Leo XIV vs France Abuse Crisis: 5 Urgent Steps for Church Accountability
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- Sep 27, 2026, 3:25 PM UTC
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After meeting with each victim, Pope Leo XIV met with them together and thanked them "for their painful testimony," said the Vatican of the pope's private meeting in Lourdes with seven victims of sexual abuse.
The pontiff “expressed his solidarity with them and, through them, with all those who have suffered and continue to suffer from the wounds of abuse,” the Vatican said.
At Lourdes, the Pope addressed the French bishops with a wide-ranging challenge: defend the Church’s public voice, and never grow weary of proclaiming Christ.