Pope Leo XIV has met a group of fifteen Belgians who were sexually abused by members of the clergy when they were minors, the Vatican has confirmed.
The Holy See Press Office said the meeting, held on the afternoon of 8 November, took place “in an atmosphere of closeness with the victims, of listening and dialogue, profound and painful,” and lasted almost three hours before concluding with “an intense moment of prayer.”
The survivors were accompanied by members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which has been working closely with the Church in Belgium on safeguarding matters. The Commission met the group again to continue a dialogue that began in July, when representatives of the body visited Belgium to hear survivors’ concerns directly.
