French clergy abuse survivors praise meeting with Pope Leo XIV, say he listened, was informed

Pope Leo pledged to take action on clergy abuse against children after meeting with seven survivors in France, according to a Vatican statement. The pope made the commitment during a two-hour meeting with the victims, where he listened to their proposals for improving the Church's safeguarding measures. The survivors expressed that they felt heard and touched by the pontiff's compassion, but they hoped his words would be followed by action.

Pope Leo, who is on a four-day visit to France, addressed the Church's deep wounds and the need for humility and openness to address past failures. In a closed-door meeting with French bishops, Leo praised their courageous efforts to confront the scandals and urged them to strengthen their safeguarding efforts. The pope's visit to France has drawn large crowds, and he has urged the world to reconsider the development of artificial intelligence.