Pope Leo XIV Addresses Clerical Abuse During Four-Day Apostolic Visit to France

The 2021 report by the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE) triggered the current focus on clerical abuse in France. The commission estimated 330,000 children suffered abuse by Catholic clergy and lay members between 1950 and 2020. French bishops acknowledged the systemic nature of these acts during a conference in Lourdes in November 2021.

This admission changed the public stance of the Church. The Vatican continues to address individual cases. One such case involves Jesuit priest Marko Rupnik. Over two dozen women accuse Rupnik of psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse. These events preceded the Pope's visit to France in June 2026. The visit also addressed French social debates, including the June 2026 legislation on medically assisted dying.

1. Seven survivors met with Pope Leo XIV for two hours in Lourdes. This session allowed the survivors to speak directly with the head of the Catholic Church. Jean-Marie Delbos, who reported abuse at the Notre-Dame de Betharram boarding school, attended the meeting. The discussion addressed the personal effects of abuse on the participants.

2. The Pope acknowledged victims throughout his visit. Before he met with the French Bishops’ Conference, he viewed the 2021 photograph titled "The Crying Child." This artwork represents the suffering of abuse victims.

3. The visit featured a public event. Pope Leo XIV reached a broad audience with the Church's message. Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes. An estimated 150,000 people attended the service.

4. The Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation provides a mechanism for victims to seek redress. Approximately 2,000 people have filed claims for reparations through the body. It processes cases involving abuse by clergy or church representatives.

1. Survivor groups questioned the transparency of the meeting process. Critics argued that the Church selected the seven participants, rather than independent survivors' organizations. The groups expressed concern that the visit would produce no results.

2. The Catholic Church faces scrutiny over its handling of abuse cases. Jesuit priest Marko Rupnik stands trial in a Vatican court. More than 24 women accuse him of psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse.

3. Pope Leo XIV’s public comments during his visit created friction with French secular policy. He condemned the June 2026 legislation on medically assisted dying. He labeled the practice as "false compassion." Supporters of the new law criticized this characterization.

4. The scale of abuse remains contested despite recent measures by the Church. The 2021 report from the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church (CIASE) estimated that 330,000 people suffered abuse by Catholic clergy between 1950 and 2020. These findings prompted demands for additional reforms.