Pope Leo Addresses Catholic Church's Failings at French Meeting
Pope Leo addressed the Catholic Church's need to confront its shortcomings during a meeting with bishops of the French Episcopal Conference on September 27, 2026, in Lourdes, France.
The pontiff participated in the gathering at the Saint Bernadette auditorium at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes as part of his apostolic journey to France.
Pope Leo Encourages Transparency and Accountability
Pope Leo emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability within the Church during his speech, urging the institution to learn from past mistakes and work towards a more compassionate future.
Meeting with French Abuse Survivors
The meeting also saw Pope Leo meeting with French abuse survivors, offering his support and listening to their experiences.
A survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "We are grateful for the Pope's presence and his willingness to understand our struggle. We hope the Church takes concrete actions to prevent such atrocities from happening again."
France's Catholic Church Strives for Reformation
The meeting comes as France's Catholic Church continues to grapple with the repercussions of past abuse scandals, which have deeply affected the institution's reputation and the trust of the faithful.
Speaking to the bishops, Pope Leo emphasized the need for the Church to address these issues and rebuild trust with the French people.
Pope Leo's Apostolic Journey
Pope Leo's visit to France marks a significant part of his apostolic journey, during which he is expected to meet with local leaders, participate in religious ceremonies, and engage in discussions with the Church's representatives.
The journey aims to strengthen ties between the Vatican and the French people, as well as address ongoing issues within the Catholic Church.
French Church Strives for Reconciliation
As part of his visit, Pope Leo is expected to encourage the French Catholic Church to work towards reconciliation with survivors of abuse, as well as the broader French community.
The Church has faced significant backlash in recent years due to abuse scandals, which have strained its relationship with the public and prompted calls for reform.
The Pope's visit provides an opportunity for the Church to address these concerns and take concrete steps towards healing and reconnecting with the French people.
<small>Source: Yahoo News — read the original story there.</small>