Pope Leo XIV urged the Catholic Church to acknowledge its own failings and heal what he called 'deep wounds' inflicted within its ranks, according to multiple outlets.
The remarks came hours before he was scheduled to meet victims of child sexual abuse by priests in France, according to RTÉ News and Newsmax.
Euronews reported that the pope called for the Church to continue its fight against sexual abuse. The South China Morning Post reported he met with victims of sex abuse and urged 'wise leaders,' a comment it linked to an approaching French election.
Outlets differed slightly in emphasis and timing details, with some framing the statement as coming before the meeting with survivors and others describing the meeting as already underway.
How each side covered it
Left
- ABC News reported the pope urged the Church to admit failings and heal 'deep wounds.'
“Pope urges church to admit failings and heal 'deep wounds'” — ABC News (Australia)
Center
- RTÉ News and the Irish Times reported the pope's call to heal 'deep wounds' ahead of meeting French abuse survivors.
- Euronews reported the pope called for the Church to continue fighting sexual abuse.
- The South China Morning Post linked the pope's remarks to an approaching French election and his call for 'wise leaders.'
“Pope Leo has urged the Catholic Church to admit its own failings and heal "deep wounds" inflicted within its ranks, hours before he was set to meet victims of child abuse by priests in France.” — RTÉ News
Right
- Newsmax reported the pope urged the Church to face its failings before meeting French abuse survivors.
“UPDATE 1-Pope Leo Urges Church to Face Failings before Meeting French Abuse Survivors” — Newsmax
Questions readers ask
What did Pope Leo XIV say about the Catholic Church's handling of abuse?
Pope Leo XIV urged the Catholic Church to admit its own failings and heal 'deep wounds' inflicted within its ranks, according to ABC News, the Irish Times, RTÉ News and Newsmax.
Why did Pope Leo XIV make these remarks?
The comments came in connection with his meeting with survivors of child sexual abuse by priests in France, according to RTÉ News and Newsmax.
What did center-leaning outlets emphasize about the story?
Center outlets, including RTÉ News, Euronews and the Irish Times, emphasized the pope's call to face past failings and continue combating sexual abuse ahead of meeting French survivors.
Did any outlet link the pope's visit to French politics?
Yes, the South China Morning Post reported the pope urged 'wise leaders' and connected this to an approaching French election, a detail not reported by other outlets.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- ABC News (Australia)Left-leaningPope urges church to admit failings and heal 'deep wounds'
- EuronewsCenterPope Leo XIV calls for Church to continue fight against sexual abuse
- RTÉ NewsCenterPope Leo urges Church to face failings
- South China Morning PostCenterPope meets victims of sex abuse, urges ‘wise leaders’ as French election looms
- The Irish TimesCenterPope Leo urges healing of ‘deep wounds’ before meeting child sex abuse survivors in France
- NewsmaxRight-leaningUPDATE 1-Pope Leo Urges Church to Face Failings before Meeting French Abuse Survivors