Pope Leo XIV Visits Lourdes, Emphasizes Spiritual Healing and Clergy Abuse Accountability
The pontiff participated in services at the renowned shrine and scheduled meetings with victims of clergy abuse.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lourdes on Saturday evening for his first visit to the renowned site of miracle cures. The pontiff prayed at the Massabielle Grotto on Saturday night and led an open-air Mass on Sunday, attended by hundreds of thousands.
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to meet with bishops, the sick, and support staff. He also planned to meet with individuals whose recoveries have been investigated and recognized as miracles by the Church. These include Sister Bernadette Moriau, who was cured of a spinal condition, Antonietta Raco, who recovered from a severe neurodegenerative disease, and Delizia Cirolli, who was healed of a childhood knee cancer.
Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, former president of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observation, told Fox News that the pope's visit was in the name of purification and healing, including healing from the Church's sexual abuse scandals. He noted that the pope also planned to meet with seven victims of sexual assault committed by clergy.
De Franciscis, who spoke with Fox News for a new book, "The Angels Among Us," highlighted the importance of the hospitaliers, who care for the sick in Lourdes. He also emphasized that many healings are spiritual and often go unrecognized, being far more numerous than physical miracles. "People come here to serve, they think they come here to help others — and instead they come out of this experience being so much better," de Franciscis said. "And they go back to their work and their lives and their families, and they're so relieved, I would say, they've really changed."
The site of Lourdes gained prominence in 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous reported 18 visions of the Virgin Mary at the Grotto, leading to her canonization as a saint. The sanctuary has since become a major pilgrimage destination for those seeking spiritual and physical healing. Pope Leo XIV's visit underscores the ongoing significance of Lourdes as a place of faith and recovery, while also addressing historical issues within the Church.