Christian World | Pope Leo XIV, in a letter to France's bishops meeting in Lourdes, urged them to keep accompanying victims of sexual abuse and to listen to young people

ACW | November 3, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has urged France's bishops to keep accompanying victims of sexual violence, in a letter read on Tuesday as they opened their autumn plenary assembly in Lourdes, Vatican News reported.

The letter, dated November 1, was read after an opening address by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille and president of the French Bishops' Conference, Vatican News said.

The pope encouraged the bishops "to continue your work of accompanying victims of sexual violence and coercive control." He said he hoped the Church would become "a place where men and women of all ages can find comfort and healing."

Leo called his visit to France "an unforgettable experience." "It is important to listen to younger generations, including their sense of unease," he wrote, urging the bishops to encourage young people "to make a sincere commitment, including in politics."

Background: During his trip to France, the pope held a vigil with young people at the Stade de France on September 25, met victims of abuse on September 26 and met the bishops in Lourdes on September 27, according to Vatican News. A German bishop, Georg Bätzing of Limburg, criticized the pope's remarks on abuse on Tuesday; read ACW's report.

Why it matters: Writing weeks after meeting abuse victims in France, Pope Leo asked the French bishops to keep accompanying victims of sexual violence and coercive control, Vatican News reported.

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Source: Vatican News — Pope Leo thanks French Bishops for 'unforgettable' visit

Photo: Vatican Media