# 'Scourge' of abuse must be rooted, says Pope, during Lourdes visit

> Pope Leo has called on French bishops to root out the "scourge" of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church, telling them to "maintain the greatest vigilance", ahead of a meeting with abuse survivors.

- Published: 2026-09-27T11:45:01.630Z
- Updated: 2026-09-28T14:04:16.786Z
- 3 sources
- Topics: Economy, business and finance, Politics
- Involves: Angela Diffley, Pope Leo

## How it developed

- 2026-09-27T11:45:01.630Z - BBC News: ['Scourge' of abuse must be rooted, says Pope, during Lourdes visit](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm5y5nj8ejj8o)
- 2026-09-27T12:00:02.282Z - DW Top Stories: [Pope decries 'scourge' of sexual abuse, holds Mass in Lourdes during France visit](https://www.dw.com/en/pope-decries-scourge-of-sexual-abuse-during-france-visit/a-79449335?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf)
- 2026-09-28T11:33:18.327Z - France 24 English: [Pope wraps up 'hugely successful' France visit with Metz speech](https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260928-pope-wraps-up-hugely-successful-france-visit-with-metz-speech)
- 2026-09-28T14:04:16.786Z - France 24 English: [Pope touches on war, migration in speech at Metz](https://www.france24.com/en/video/20260928-pope-touches-on-war-migration-in-speech-at-metz)

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