Pope Leo XIV Reflects on Meeting Abuse Survivors, Warns on Political Extremism

Pope Leo XIV has spoken about his encounter with survivors of clergy sexual abuse and expressed concern over the rise of political extremism, in remarks to journalists travelling with him.

The pontiff said he had met seven victims of abuse and had asked them to help him convey to others the willingness of the Church and of himself to listen and to accompany them as they seek healing. He acknowledged the pain caused in their lives by abuse.

Reflecting on how the issue is described, the Pope said several survivors had spoken of systemic abuse. He said he preferred a different formulation, though he acknowledged that some organisations within the Church had at times been abusive as a system. He stressed the importance of distinguishing sexual abuse as, first and foremost, a human problem. When it occurs within the Church, he added, it takes on an additional dimension because people's lives of faith are deeply wounded and sometimes destroyed. This, he said, places a particular responsibility on the Church to walk with survivors and help them seek healing.

On the relationship between the Church and politics, the Pope said he had not crossed the line separating the two. He referred to his time in Lourdes, where people search for something deeper and recognise meaning in their lives even amid sickness, disability or pain. The Church, he said, wishes to be close to such people and to affirm the values that life holds for all. If that is considered politics, he said, then he did that, but it was not an involvement in French politics; it was an effort to teach what the Church believes.

The Pope also commented on the growth of far-right groups, saying it would be interesting to study and analyse whether and how there may be a relationship to their rise. He noted that the far-right is now splintering, with one particular group becoming much more extreme while other so-called far-right groups emerge.

Expressing a deep hope, he said the Church could be part of efforts to reach out to the majority of people of goodwill, encouraging their commitment, including participation in political processes, so that they make clear choices for the common good rather than for extremist ideas that may cause far more damage than is currently understood.