Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Lourdes

Pope Leo XIV called for repentance and conversion from sin and error during a Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes on Sept. 27. Speaking on the third day of his visit to France, the pope said the Church must have the courage to recognize its own faults, including deep wounds, infidelities, and painful errors, to achieve spiritual growth.

The pope is scheduled to meet with seven victims of clerical sexual abuse in France later on Sunday. The local bishop stated that mosaics by Father Marko Rupnik, who is currently on trial at the Vatican, remain covered at the Basilica of the Rosary and will stay covered indefinitely.

The Mass took place on a prairie across the Gave de Pau river from the grotto of the apparitions. The visit to France began on Sept. 25 and is scheduled to conclude on Sept. 28.