Pope Leo XIV faces Church abuse survivors in intense three-hour meeting
Pope Leo XIV (Photo: Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV held an almost three-hour meeting with survivors of sexual abuse by clergy in Belgium. Participants shared the trauma they have carried for years, reports CNN.
According to the Holy See’s press office, the Pope listened attentively to the testimonies of those who suffered sexual abuse by priests in Belgium. Each attendee had experienced abuse in childhood, and the Vatican emphasized that the meeting took place in a deeply painful and intense atmosphere.
Participants spoke about how the trauma affected their lives, relationships, faith, and mental health.
The Catholic Church in Belgium has long been facing one of its deepest crises due to sexual abuse scandals. Over the past decades, hundreds of cases of severe abuse have been uncovered, including that of a former bishop who raped two of his nephews. These events sparked widespread public outrage and calls for reforms and genuine accountability.
During his visit to Belgium last year, Pope Francis met with survivors, spending over two hours in personal conversations. Pope Leo XIV, elected just six months ago, has continued this path, emphasizing that the Church must dismantle the culture of silence where evil hides behind secrecy and power.
Last month, Leo XIV held his first official meeting with survivors at the Vatican and received a commission report highlighting that the Church is doing too little to support victims and prevent future abuses.
While serving in Peru, before he was elected pope, Leo XIV confronted one of Latin America’s most high-profile scandals and was among the first bishops to publicly support the victims.
Saturday’s meeting was one of the longest papal audiences in recent times, reflecting the Pope’s personal commitment and the gravity of the issue for the Vatican.
The Vatican has pledged that combating abuse and covering up crimes will be a key focus of Leo XIV’s pontificate.
