Pope Leo Meets Clerical Sex Abuse Victims in Lourdes During Four-Day France Visit
Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the United States, is currently undertaking a four-day official trip to France, a nation known for its secularism yet rich in Catholic heritage. This marks the first papal visit in almost twenty years. On the third day of his journey, he visited Lourdes, a renowned pilgrimage site, where he greeted worshippers en route to Sunday mass. In this town, situated at the base of the Pyrenees, he is set to hold a private meeting with seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse, reinforcing his commitment to Church reform amid the ongoing global scandal. Among those present was Domitille Bardoul, 26, who traveled from Paris to join in prayer. With French elections approaching, the pope has called for 'wise leaders.'
Key facts
- Pope Leo is the first US pontiff.
- He is on a four-day official visit to France, the first official papal visit in nearly two decades.
- On the third day, he visited Lourdes, a French pilgrimage town at the foot of the Pyrenees.
- He waved at believers on his way to mass on Sunday.
- He is expected to meet privately with seven victims of clerical sex abuse.
- He has promised to further efforts to reform the Church amid the global sexual abuse scandal.
- Domitille Bardoul, 26, woke up before dawn and took the train from Paris to wait for prayers in Lourdes.
- The visit occurs as French elections loom, and the pope urged 'wise leaders.'
Entities
Artists
- Pope Leo
- Domitille Bardoul
Institutions
- Catholic Church
Locations
- Lourdes
- France
- Paris
- Pyrenees
- United States