Víctimas de abusos piden a León XIV medidas concretas tras su encuentro en Lourdes

Seven abuse victims met with Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes on Sunday to request specific actions to address ongoing abuse cases in France. During the nearly two-hour meeting, the group presented several proposals to the Pope, though he did not provide immediate responses to their requests.

Five participants spoke to the media following the meeting, describing the Pope as attentive and aware that significant work remains. The group stated they would remain vigilant regarding the steps the Church takes and expressed hope for formal answers to their petitions.

One specific request came from Jean-Marie Delbos, who was abused while a student at the Notre-Dame de Bétharram school. Delbos proposed that the Pope dissolve the Congregation of the Priests of Bétharram. The Bétharram case has been a major scandal in France, following a June report from an independent commission that investigated the institution through victim testimonies and archives. Delbos noted that he attended Mass for the first time in decades during the meeting.