Pope Leo XIV answers journalists' questions on plane

Pope Leo XIV answered questions from journalists on his flight back to Rome following a four-day apostolic trip to France. During the press conference on the plane, the pope described the trip as being rich in blessings and almost miraculous, noting his experiences with young people at the Stade de France and vulnerable individuals at Lourdes.

Addressing the issue of sexual abuse within the Church, the pope stated that the Church has a specific responsibility to help victims find healing. He noted that abuse within the Church is particularly damaging because it wounds or destroys a person's life of faith. He expressed a desire for the Church to be helped by victims themselves to learn how to better listen to, accompany, and recognize their suffering.

The pope also addressed various social and global topics, including the protection of life and end-of-life care, the housing crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising military spending, and the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. He also commented on the situation of the Church in Germany.