Christian World | Pope Leo XIV met five survivors of clergy abuse in Argentina for more than an hour on Monday and voiced a desire to strengthen protection in the Church

ACW | November 10, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV met for more than an hour with five survivors of abuse by clergy and church institutions in Argentina on Monday, the Holy See Press Office said.

The pope spoke with each of them individually and listened to "the painful stories of their experiences" and to their proposals for healing within the Church, the press office said in a statement reported by Vatican News.

To them, "and through them to the other victims whom it was not possible to meet," Leo expressed his closeness and his "desire to strengthen pathways of protection, goodness, welcome, and accompaniment within the Church," the statement said.

The survivors were introduced to the pope by the local Church, and the statement did not name them. Leo gave them his Apostolic Blessing and thanked them for their witness of faith, then went to the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in Buenos Aires for a meeting with social movements and workers.

Background: The Holy See Press Office said on Oct. 27 that "some meetings are planned with people who are victims of abuse by members of the clergy and the Church" during the pope's Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Pope Leo earlier urged French bishops to stand by abuse victims.

Why it matters: On Nov. 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV met five survivors of abuse by clergy and church institutions in Argentina and called for stronger protection within the Church, according to the Holy See Press Office.

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Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV meets with abuse victims in Argentina (Holy See Press Office statement); Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV to meet abuse survivors during Latin America visit (Oct. 27, 2026)

Photo: Vatican Media (file photo of Pope Leo XIV)