Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at Lourdes

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass before 150,000 people at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on Sunday, September 27. During his homily at the Sanctuary Prairie, the Pope stated that God's love accepts all fragility, contrasting this with modern trends that attempt to redefine the value of human life in the face of illness, suffering, or old age. He told the sick that they are at the heart of the Church and hold an irreplaceable role.

Earlier in his visit to France, the Pope met with bishops from the French Episcopal Conference and urged them to maintain maximum vigilance against clerical abuse. He encouraged them not to be discouraged by errors or inconsistencies while addressing this issue. Following these meetings, the Pope met privately with seven victims of abuse by members of the clergy.

Before the Angelus, the Pope asked the faithful to pray the Rosary during October to seek peace between conflicting peoples and an end to wars. He is also scheduled to participate in the evening torchlight procession, marking the first time a pope has joined this specific procession in Lourdes.