During his four‑day visit to France, Pope Leo IV urged bishops to eradicate the "scourge" of sexual abuse committed by clergy, calling for the greatest vigilance as he met survivors at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The message followed a 2021 inquiry that uncovered around 330,000 children who had been abused by priests or lay members in France over 70 years.
After leading Mass before thousands of worshippers, the Pope privately met survivors, emphasizing the need for transparency and lasting reform within the Church.
Earlier in the week, 700,000 people gathered in Paris to hear the pontiff, and he also met President Emmanuel Macron in a separate audience, highlighting the widespread public demand for change.
The visit underscores a growing public interest in religious tradition, with adult baptisms more than doubling in five years, while the Church contends with calls for a new era of accountability and stewardship.
