Pope Leo XIV meets with 15 abuse survivors at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV blesses those gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Nov. 5, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media ACI Prensa Staff, Nov 8, 2025 / 15:00 pm (CNA). Pope Leo XIV met on Saturday with 15 survivors of clergy sexual abuse in a meeting marked by dialogue, listening, and prayer, according to the Holy See Press Office.The encounter, described as one of “closeness with the victims, of deep and painful listening and dialogue,” lasted nearly three hours. The meeting concluded with “an intense moment of prayer” shared between the pope and the survivors.This was the second time in less than three weeks that Leo has met at the Vatican with victims of clerical abuse. On Oct. 20, he received four survivors and two representatives of the international coalition Ending Clergy Abuse, which brings together victims and advocates from more than 30 countries. That earlier meeting lasted about an hour and was described by participants as a “deeply meaningful conversation.”This story was