Pope Francis has issued a forceful call for unwavering vigilance against the scourge of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, emphasizing the need for meticulous maintenance of the greatest possible protection for survivors. The Pope delivered this message during a private meeting at the Sanctuary of Our Holy Lady of Lourdes, a deeply sacred site in southern France, on the third day of his four-day official visit to France. This visit represents a significant undertaking as it coincides with a 2021 inquiry that revealed a staggering 330,000 cases of child sexual abuse involving clergy and lay members of the Church across France over seven decades.
The meeting, initially planned for a private audience with survivors, was extended to include a meeting with those who have experienced abuse, a response to the profound pain and suffering caused by this ongoing crisis. The Pope stressed the importance of ‘persevering along the path you have begun,’ reiterating the necessity of maintaining the greatest possible level of vigilance in combating this persistent problem. He urged the bishops to ‘remain steadfast in their dedication’ to protecting vulnerable individuals and communities.
Before Mass, the Pope addressed the assembled bishops, outlining the gravity of the situation. He described the 2021 inquiry as a ‘painful scourge’ and emphasized the need to ‘never cease the arduous task of vigilance.’ The gathering of senior church leaders was held behind closed doors, and the remarks were subsequently released to reporters. The Lourdes gathering, a significant event for the Catholic world, drew hundreds of thousands of people to the Place de la Concorde in Paris, where the Pope rode in a popemobile, greeting followers from his open-topped vehicle. Following the Mass, the Pope engaged in a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the need for Catholics to ‘not keep their faith to themselves, but let it overflow, so that those you meet may be refreshed.’
The Pope’s remarks also addressed young people in his speech, emphasizing the importance of their role within the Church and portraying them as ‘today’s Church.’ He described them as ‘beautiful to see your enthusiasm, energy, and commitment’ and underscored the value of their participation in Christian communities. The number of regular worshippers in France has decreased significantly, falling from 35% of the population in 1960 to less than 5% today, while the number of priests has shrunk by two-thirds from 25,000 in 1990 to fewer than 9,000. However, a recent trend suggests a growing interest in traditional Catholic practices, with the number of adult baptisms exceeding double its 2025 figure.
The Pope’s subsequent visit to the health facility at Lourdes, followed by a torchlight procession in the evening, marks a significant shift in focus, demonstrating the Pope’s commitment to addressing the long-term challenges posed by this ongoing crisis. The Pope’s first official visit to France since being chosen to lead the Roman Catholic Church in May 2025 signifies a renewed emphasis on the Church’s role within the European landscape, a country with a long and complex history of secularism alongside a deep-rooted Catholic tradition.
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Source: BBC News
