Argentina: Pope meets with abuse survivors

Source: Vatican Media

After the huge open air Mass in Buenos Aires yesterday, Pope Leo met for over an hour with five survivors of clerical abuse.

"The Pope spoke individually with each of them, listened to their words and to the painful stories of their experiences, as well as to their proposals for strengthening paths towards healing within the Church," a statement from the Vatican press office explained.

"To them, and through them to the other victims whom it was not possible to meet, the Pope expressed his closeness and his desire to strengthen pathways of protection, goodness, welcome, and accompaniment within the Church," it said.

The abuse survivors were introduced to the Pope by the local Church, and he met with them before going to the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina in Buenos Aires to attend a meeting with representatives of social movements and the world of work.

At the end of the meeting, the Pope also greeted them together and imparted his Apostolic Blessing, expressing his gratitude for this moment and for their witness of faith.