Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV met on Saturday afternoon with a group of fifteen survivors of clerical abuse from Belgium, in a profoundly emotional meeting marked by empathy, attentive listening, and prayer.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the encounter unfolded “in a spirit of closeness with the victims, characterized by sincere listening and dialogue that was both profound and painful.” The meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, concluded with a moving moment of collective prayer.
The survivors were accompanied by representatives from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which continues to collaborate with the Belgian Church in advancing child protection measures and supporting victims of abuse. Earlier in the day, the Commission held a separate session with the group to continue the dialogue initiated in July, when a Vatican delegation visited Belgium to strengthen local safeguarding initiatives.
For many of those present, this was not the first papal encounter. Several survivors had previously met Pope Francis during his Apostolic Visit to Belgium in September 2024. That earlier meeting, held at the Apostolic Nunciature in Brussels, allowed victims to share their painful experiences and express their expectations for a more transparent and compassionate Church response.
At that time, Pope Francis had listened with deep emotion, thanking the survivors for their courage and expressing sorrow and shame for the abuses they suffered. He also took note of their appeals for justice, accountability, and continued support from Church institutions.
Pope Leo XIV’s meeting builds upon that same commitment fostering a Church that confronts its past with honesty, stands beside victims with compassion, and commits to preventing such violations in the future.
The Vatican described Saturday’s encounter as “a new step in a shared journey of healing,” one that seeks not only to acknowledge past wounds but also to renew the Church’s pledge to safeguard the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable.