Papa Leone XIV arrived in Lourdes for the third day of his apostolic journey to France, addressing institutional clergy abuse, global conflict, and the sanctity of human life before an estimated 150,000 pilgrims gathered at the Prairie of the Sanctuary, according to the Holy See press office.
Addressing Clerical Abuse and Church Accountability
Opening his schedule at 9 a.m. with the French episcopate, Pope Leone addressed the ongoing crisis of clerical abuse within the ecclesial sphere. Vatican reports cite the Pontiff thanking the French bishops for adopting courageous measures through listening, truth-seeking, justice, and prevention cultures, while urging them to maintain maximum vigilance.
Monsignor Pierre-Antoine Bozo, spokesperson for the French Bishops’ Conference, noted at a press briefing that the issue cannot be ignored. The Vatican confirmed that later in the day, at 18, the Pope would hold a private, closed-door meeting at the bishop’s palace with seven survivors of clerical abuse.
Mass at Lourdes and Homily on Conflict
At 11 a.m., Pope Leone celebrated an open-air mass for 150,000 faithful at the sanctuary grounds. In his homily, the Pontiff stated that humanity, not God, bears responsibility for modern warfare. “How could our hearts not feel challenged in the face of increasingly widespread conflicts that destroy so many innocent lives? Yet the evil that afflicts our era comes from the heart of man, God is not responsible for it,” he said.
The Pope also emphasized the necessity of internal institutional reform, declaring that the Church must recognize its own errors and undergo humble conversion without delay.
Sanctuary of Hope for the Vulnerable
Focusing on the significance of the Marian grotto, Pope Leone connected the site to contemporary debates surrounding human dignity. “Against current trends that seek to redefine the value of human life in the face of illness, suffering, or old age, the Grotto of Massabielle stands as a sanctuary of Christian hope,” the Pontiff stated during the liturgy.
Following the morning mass, the schedule included a 3:30 p.m. visit with the sick, disabled, and volunteers of the Accueil Notre-Dame, followed by a 4:45 p.m. trip to the Carmelite monastery to meet cloistered nuns. The day’s events conclude at 9 p.m. with the traditional torchlight procession, rosary recitation, and religious hymns.
Did You Know?
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is the city of the Marian apparitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of Pope Leone’s visit to Lourdes?
The trip centers on meetings with French bishops, an open-air mass for pilgrims, interactions with the sick and volunteers, and a private, closed-door meeting with seven survivors of clerical abuse.
How many people attended the open-air mass at Lourdes?
Approximately 150,000 faithful attended the mass held in the Prairie of the Sanctuary, according to figures released by the Vatican press office.
What did Pope Leone say regarding clerical abuse?
The Pope described abuse as a painful plague and commended French bishops for adopting investigative and preventative measures, while calling for continued maximum vigilance.