Pope Leo XIV to Meet Victims of Church Abuse in France

Paris – 08/07/2026: During his trip to France at the end of September, Pope Leo XIV intends to meet people who have experienced sexual abuse in the context of the Catholic Church. The Vatican had already confirmed the head of the Church’s visit from September 25 to 28, 2026, in May. It has now announced that a meeting with victims will also be part of the program.

The announcement touches on a particularly sensitive issue for the French Church. For many victims, a conversation with the Pope is less a matter of protocol than a question of whether their experiences will be heard and their demands taken seriously. The names of possible participants and details of their specific experiences have not been published.

The framework of the meeting also remains unclear. Neither the number of invited people nor the location and duration of the meeting have been disclosed. It is also unknown whether there will be a public statement afterward. A confidential setting can ensure the protection of victims and allow for a personal conversation. At the same time, the public is likely to watch closely how the Vatican follows up on the outcome of the meeting.

Leo XIV is traveling to France at the invitation of the French president, Church authorities and UNESCO. The itinerary includes, among other things, a visit to the Paris headquarters of the UN cultural organization. Further stops had not yet been fully listed in the Holy See’s first official announcement.

The planned conversation follows a meeting during the Pope’s trip to Spain in June 2026. In Madrid, Leo XIV met six people who had experienced abuse by clergy and other Church officials. According to the Vatican, the conversation lasted nearly an hour. The victims presented proposals for a more effective Church response to such cases.

In France, the reckoning with sexual abuse by clergy and other Church employees has shaken the trust of numerous believers and families. Beyond acknowledging the injustice suffered, the issues include prevention, independent investigations, reliable support services and appropriate compensation. The planned meeting will also be judged by these standards.

Church media, citing the French Bishops’ Conference, had already reported on the plan. A detailed Vatican announcement on the location and format is still pending. What is certain so far is that the meeting is to take place during the papal visit from September 25 to 28.