In France the pope meets survivors of sexual abuse by religious figures

Pope Leo XIV met seven survivors of sexual abuse within the French Catholic Church in Lourdes, hearing their accounts during his visit to France.

An independent inquiry estimated that 216,000 minors were abused by Catholic priests and other religious figures between 1950 and 2020. The estimate rises to 330,000 when abuse by laypeople connected to the Church is included.

The Pope called for truth, justice, compensation and stronger protection for children. The meeting with survivors was included in the official visit programme.