Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit France from September 25-28, with plans to meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse during the trip, according to an announcement made by the Vatican. The survivors will participate in preparations for the meeting, though specific details about timing and location remain to be disclosed at a later date.
The pontiff previously met with six abuse survivors during a recent trip to Spain, where the Catholic Church has begun confronting its history of abuse and institutional responses to such cases. France has been addressing significant abuse allegations within the church; a 2021 report estimated approximately 330,000 children experienced sexual abuse over a 70-year period by church personnel. In response to ongoing concerns about the issue, Leo appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny to lead the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission last month.
The France visit will include multiple stops with distinct purposes. Leo will begin in Paris, meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace and addressing the diplomatic corps before delivering remarks at UNESCO headquarters. He will also participate in evening events including vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral and a prayer vigil with young people at a national stadium. The second day focuses on social inclusion, with visits to the Maison Bakhita center and participation in meetings involving laypeople in church governance and recently baptized Catholics.
The pontiff will subsequently travel to Lourdes, a major pilgrimage destination in Catholic tradition, where he will pray at the Grotto of the Apparitions, visit a healthcare facility, and participate in the Rosary and torchlight procession. The trip concludes in Metz near the Luxembourg and German borders, where Leo will attend an interreligious meeting. The France journey represents the pope’s fourth foreign trip this year and reflects his increased attention to Europe compared to his predecessor.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI