Pope Leo XIV visits Lourdes, meets victims and calls for vigilance against sexual violence

Arriving the evening before in the Marian city, Leo XIV opened his day with a meeting with the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of France. Before this exchange, he stood in front of the “Crying Child”, a representation installed in memory of victims of sexual violence in the Church. Before the bishops, he called on them in particular to continue their efforts against child crime and to maintain “the greatest vigilance”.

The sovereign pontiff then traveled by popemobile to the sanctuary meadow, to the acclamations of the faithful, blessing several children on his way. Some 150,000 people gathered, according to the Vatican, to attend Sunday mass. In his homily, Leo XIV urged the faithful to conversion and insisted on the dignity of the frail, sick or elderly.

In the afternoon, he went to Accueil Notre-Dame, which receives sick, fragile or disabled pilgrims. He forcefully reaffirmed the dignity of every human person. He then met privately with the nuns of the Carmel of Lourdes, then seven victims of sexual violence at the end of the day during a closed-door meeting, which lasted almost two hours. In the evening, the Pope joined the faithful for the prayer of the rosary and the torchlight procession to the sanctuary. He will leave Lourdes Monday morning for Metz.