Pope Leo XIV is to meet French abuse survivors privately during his four-day visit to France starting Friday

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026.

Pope Leo XIV's first papal visit to France, beginning on Friday, will include a private meeting on Sunday in Lourdes with seven survivors of sexual abuse by priests and other Catholic personnel. Critics are watching the encounter closely, warning the Church has still not done enough. Some survivors' groups have objected to the selection of individuals over representatives of established organisations.

A 2021 report estimated 330,000 children in France were sexually abused over seven decades by priests, clergy and church workers.

The seven survivors said they do not claim to speak for all victims, adding: 'Being received does not mean abandoning our demands.'

One participant was abused by priest Bernard Preynat, who acknowledged assaulting at least 75 boys and was jailed in 2020.