During his ongoing four-day official visit to France, Pope Leo has called on French bishops to eliminate what he described as the “scourge” of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. The Pope delivered this directive during a private meeting with church leaders at the Sanctuary of Our Holy Lady of Lourdes in southern France on Saturday, ahead of a scheduled gathering with survivors.
The pontiff urged the bishops to “maintain the greatest vigilance” as they continue their efforts to address historical abuses. This address comes in the wake of a 2021 government inquiry, which revealed that approximately 330,000 individuals were abused by clergy or lay church members in France over a 70-year period.
Before celebrating Mass for thousands of worshippers at the Lourdes shrine, Pope Leo acknowledged the challenges faced by the church. “You have faced with determination the painful scourge of abuse of minors committed by members of the clergy or within an ecclesial context,” he told the assembled senior church leaders. He emphasized the importance of persevering on the path already begun.
The closed-door meeting in Lourdes followed a massive public appearance on Friday, where an estimated 700,000 people gathered at the Place de la Concorde in Paris to hear the Pope speak. During his travels through the French capital, huge crowds cheered and waved from the Champs-Élysées as he rode through in his open-topped popemobile. The Pope also held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.
Addressing the faithful in Paris on Saturday, Pope Leo encouraged Catholics to share their faith openly rather than keeping it private. “Let it overflow so that those you meet may be refreshed,” he said. He also spoke to young people, describing them as “today’s Church” and praising their enthusiasm and commitment to Christian communities.
The visit highlights the evolving religious landscape in France, where regular worship participation has dropped from 35% of the population in 1960 to less than 5% today. Additionally, the number of priests has declined by two-thirds since 1990, falling from 25,000 to fewer than 9,000. However, recent data suggests a resurgence in religious interest, with adult baptisms more than doubling over five years to reach 10,000 in 2025.
This marks Pope Leo’s first official trip to France since his election in May 2025. While France maintains a secular political identity, it retains deep Catholic roots, and papal visits have historically been significant events. Later on Sunday, the Pope is scheduled to meet staff and residents at the Lourdes health facility, followed by an evening torchlight procession.
It’s interesting the Pope focuses on youth enthusiasm while the institution struggles with its darkest history. A complex balance to strike.
Saying ‘maintain vigilance’ after such a horrific scandal feels like a cop-out. Where are the concrete structural changes being promised here?
Wow, baptism rates doubling is the surprising takeaway for me. Who else noticed that demographic shift amidst all the heavy news?
Thirty-three thousand victims is a staggering number. I hope this ‘vigilance’ translates into real, enforceable accountability, not just empty words.