# Pope Leo XIV decries ‘scourge’ of sexual abuse during France visit

https://mins.news/en/item/75920

- DW, 2026-09-27 11:51 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://www.dw.com/en/pope-decries-scourge-of-sexual-abuse-during-france-visit/a-79449335?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

> Pope Leo XIV praised French bishops for their “courageous” response to the “painful scourge” of abuse of minors by clergy or in an ecclesial context. During his visit to Lourdes, where about 150,000 attended his Mass, he was due to meet seven adult survivors. Some survivors said change in the Church was moving slowly.

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