At Lourdes healing shrine, Pope Leo addresses ‘wounds’ of clerical abuse

Pope Leo XIV addressed the Catholic Church's responsibility for clerical abuse and its opposition to assisted dying during a homily at the Lourdes sanctuary in France on Sunday, September 27. Speaking to more than 150,000 people, the pope said the Church must acknowledge its mistakes and errors to achieve spiritual growth and healing.

The pope's remarks came as heavy curtains covered a mosaic façade at the shrine created by Father Marco Rupnik. Rupnik, a former Jesuit priest and religious artist, is currently undergoing a Vatican trial for the alleged sexual and spiritual abuse of at least five women. Sanctuary officials covered the artwork, which was installed for the shrine's 150th anniversary, following the scandals involving Rupnik.