Pope Leo XIV met privately with five survivors of clergy and Church-related abuse in Argentina, listening to their accounts and discussing ways to strengthen support and recovery programs. (Foto: Instagram)
Pope Leo XIV met Monday, Nov. 9, with five people who were sexually abused by members of the clergy and Catholic Church institutions in Argentina. The meeting, held during the pope’s visit to the country, lasted more than an hour, according to a statement from the Vatican. The local Church arranged the meeting and introduced the survivors to the pope.
The conversation took place before Leo traveled to the Catholic University of Argentina for a meeting with representatives of the working world. The Vatican Press Office said the pope spoke with each survivor individually and listened to accounts of the abuse they had experienced. He also heard proposals for strengthening the Church’s support and recovery programs.
At the end of the meeting, Leo blessed the participants and thanked them for their visit and testimonies. He expressed solidarity with the survivors and said he intended to reinforce efforts to protect and accompany people who have experienced abuse. His message also extended to other survivors who were unable to attend.
The meeting took place on the same day Leo celebrated an outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires. The service, held in the Palermo neighborhood, drew about 2.5 million people, according to estimates released during the visit. In his homily, the pope emphasized the importance of Christian family life, describing the family as a source of stability amid current social difficulties. He encouraged worshippers to pass their faith on to younger generations.
Leo also referred to challenges facing families, including financial instability, precarious employment, domestic violence, separation and addiction. He urged people not to accept claims that the Christian family is outdated, saying it remains a pillar amid the many uncertainties of the present era.
The pope began a 12-day apostolic trip through South America on Friday, Nov. 6. The itinerary includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. After visiting Uruguay, he arrived in Argentina on Sunday, Nov. 8; Peru is the final stop. Leo lived in Peru for many years as a missionary and bishop. Brazil is not included in the itinerary.
The trip comes less than a month after Leo underwent surgery on Oct. 13. Before he departed, the Vatican said his recovery was progressing well and that there were no medical contraindications to the journey.
