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Pope Leo has issued a forceful appeal to French bishops, calling on them to eliminate the "scourge" of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church. The pontiff delivered this message during a private gathering at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a revered pilgrimage site in southern France, on the third day of his four-day official tour of the country. The meeting, held behind closed doors, was later disclosed to journalists, underscoring the sensitive nature of the discussions.
In his remarks to the assembled church leaders, the Pope stressed the need for relentless vigilance. He acknowledged the determined efforts already undertaken by the French episcopate to confront what he described as the painful affliction of abuse committed by clergy or within church settings. Nevertheless, he insisted that the path of reform must continue without pause. "It is important to persevere along the path you have begun, maintaining the greatest vigilance," he told the bishops, according to a statement released after the private session.
The Pope's message carries particular weight in France, where a landmark inquiry in 2021 revealed the staggering scale of the crisis. That investigation concluded that clergy and lay members of the Church had abused approximately 330,000 children over a span of 70 years. The findings sent shockwaves through the institution and prompted renewed calls for accountability, transparency, and systemic change. Pope Leo's visit thus serves as both a pastoral mission and a moment of reckoning for a church still grappling with its tarnished legacy.
Later in the day, the pontiff was scheduled to meet privately with survivors of abuse—a encounter that many observers view as a critical test of the Church's commitment to listening to victims and addressing their suffering. Such meetings have become a staple of papal visits in recent years, as the Vatican seeks to demonstrate a more compassionate and responsive approach to the global abuse scandal that has eroded trust among the faithful.
The Lourdes visit follows a massive gathering in Paris, where an estimated 700,000 people flocked to the Place de la Concorde to hear the Pope speak. The previous day's events showcased the enduring appeal of the papacy even in a country with a strongly secular political tradition. Huge crowds cheered and waved as Pope Leo traveled down the Champs-Élysées Avenue in his open-topped popemobile, greeting followers with warmth and visible joy. On Friday, he also held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the diplomatic dimension of his trip.
During a Mass in Paris on Saturday, the Pope urged Catholics not to keep their faith confined to themselves. He encouraged them to let it "overflow so that those you meet may be refreshed," emphasizing the importance of living out religious convictions in daily life and sharing them with others. The message resonated with the thousands who had gathered to participate in the liturgy, many of whom had traveled long distances to be part of the historic occasion.
The Pope also directed his attention to younger generations, addressing them in a separate speech where he described them as "today's Church." He praised their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment, noting the joy they bring to Christian communities. His words seemed designed to inspire hope amid concerns about declining religiosity in France, where regular worship has plummeted from 35% of the population in 1960 to less than 5% today. The number of priests has likewise contracted dramatically, falling from 25,000 in 1990 to fewer than 9,000.
Yet there are signs of a spiritual resurgence. In recent years, interest in religious tradition has grown, with adult baptisms more than doubling over five years to reach 10,000 in 2025. This trend suggests that while institutional religion may be waning in some respects, a hunger for meaning and belonging persists—particularly among younger adults seeking connection to ancient rituals and community life. The Pope's visit may serve to amplify this nascent revival, offering a visible and charismatic focal point for those exploring faith.
Throughout his time in Lourdes, the Pope has engaged in a series of solemn and symbolic acts. On Sunday, he celebrated Mass in front of thousands of worshippers at the Meadow of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, a site renowned for its healing waters and reported miracles. The atmosphere was one of deep devotion, with pilgrims waving flags and straining to catch a glimpse of the pontiff. Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet staff and residents at the sanctuary's health facility, a gesture of solidarity with the sick and vulnerable who flock to Lourdes in search of comfort.
In the evening, the Pope will participate in a torchlight procession, a traditional Lourdes ritual in which the faithful carry candles in a moving display of faith and unity. The procession is expected to draw large numbers of participants, transforming the sanctuary into a river of light. Such events underscore the enduring significance of Lourdes as a place of pilgrimage, where the physical and spiritual needs of humanity intersect.
This marks Pope Leo's first official visit to France since his election to lead the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025. His itinerary reflects a careful balance between addressing the institutional challenges facing the Church—most notably the abuse crisis—and tending to the pastoral needs of ordinary believers. It also highlights the complex relationship between the Vatican and France, a nation with a fiercely secular public sphere but deep historical Catholic roots. Popes have frequently visited the country, navigating this tension with diplomatic finesse.
The abuse scandal remains a profound wound that Pope Leo must address with both candor and compassion. His call for vigilance and his willingness to meet survivors signal a continuation of the reform efforts initiated by his predecessors. However, critics argue that words must be matched by concrete action, including robust safeguarding measures, disciplinary consequences for offenders, and financial reparations for victims. The Pope's private encounter with survivors may provide an opportunity to hear their demands firsthand and to demonstrate that the Church is serious about change.
As the four-day visit unfolds, the eyes of the Catholic world remain fixed on Lourdes and Paris. The images of vast crowds and intimate moments of prayer will shape perceptions of Pope Leo's leadership and his ability to steer the Church through turbulent waters. For French Catholics, the visit offers a chance to reaffirm their faith and to engage with a pontiff who has made the fight against abuse a central theme of his young papacy.
Ultimately, the success of this journey may be measured not only in the number of worshippers who turn out or the warmth of public greetings, but in whether the Church can genuinely root out the "scourge" that has caused so much suffering. Pope Leo's words in Lourdes will be remembered as a call to action—and a reminder that the road to healing is long, requiring vigilance, humility, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
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