Pope Leo called on French bishops to combat what he characterized as a significant problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church during a multi-day official visit to France. Speaking during a private meeting at the Sanctuary of Our Holy Lady of Lourdes in southern France on the third day of his four-day trip, the pontiff emphasized the need for continued vigilance in addressing the issue.
The Pope’s remarks were prompted by findings from a 2021 French inquiry that documented approximately 330,000 cases of abuse by clergy or lay members over a 70-year period. Following his meeting with bishops, Leo met individually with seven survivors of abuse by French clergy. One survivor, Jean-Marie Delbos, described the encounter as extraordinary, noting that the Pope was attentive and informed about their cases.
The Lourdes gathering concluded a week of significant papal activities in France. The previous day, an estimated 700,000 people assembled at Place de la Concorde in Paris to hear the Pope speak, and he was greeted by large crowds as he traveled through the city. Leo also met with French President Emmanuel Macron and delivered Mass to thousands of worshippers.
During his public addresses, the Pope encouraged Catholics to share their faith openly and praised young people as vital members of the Church. His remarks came as France experiences declining religious participation, with regular Catholic worshippers falling from 35 percent of the population in 1960 to less than 5 percent currently. However, recent data indicate some growth in adult baptisms, with the number surpassing 10,000 in 2025.
Sexual abuse scandals have affected the Catholic Church globally for decades, with the issue gaining widespread media attention beginning in the 1980s. Leo’s predecessor undertook efforts to address the matter through institutional reforms, though challenges persist across the organization.
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