Pope Leo meets abuse survivors, criticizes assisted dying during France visit

Pope Leo XIV met privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse by French clergy on Sunday during a visit to Lourdes, after calling on the Catholic Church to confront its “deep wounds, infidelities and painful errors.”

Five survivors later told reporters that the pope listened to their accounts, was familiar with their cases and acknowledged that more work was needed to address the scandal. The meeting followed an open-air Mass attended by an estimated 150,000 people at the Catholic pilgrimage site.

In his homily, Leo also condemned medically assisted dying as “false compassion,” saying that “what is legal is not necessarily moral.” France adopted legislation last month allowing incurably ill adults to receive aid in dying. The pope reiterated Catholic teaching that human life should be protected from conception until natural death.

At Lourdes, Leo was also scheduled to meet staff and patients at the shrine’s care center. The site has attracted sick and disabled pilgrims since the church recognized reported visions of the Virgin Mary there in the 19th century.

On the final day of his four-day French visit, Leo addressed European leaders in Metz and urged dialogue and concessions to end war in Europe. Without explicitly naming Russia or Ukraine, he called for courage in negotiations and a willingness to sacrifice some positions “for the superior good of peace.” He also described Europe as a potential protector of peace and refuge for migrants.