Pope to Meet Victims of Sexual Abuse in Church on Monday in Madrid

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to hold a meeting with victims of sexual abuse within the Church on Monday afternoon at the Nunciature in Madrid. This significant encounter comes just before the pontiff's departure from Spain, concluding a visit that began on Saturday.

The Vatican's press office had previously announced the Pope's intention to meet with victims, but details regarding the location and time were not initially disclosed. The meeting will now occur on Monday, after Pope Leo XIV delivers an unprecedented address to the Spanish Parliament.

However, major victim and survivor associations have voiced strong criticism regarding their exclusion from the Pope's visit. These groups fear that the pontiff's meeting may be limited to individuals who participated in "Repara," a project initiated by the Archdiocese of Madrid to support abuse survivors. The associations have highlighted their years of collaboration with investigations, the Ombudsman's office, and the development of protocols and reparation proposals.

In a joint statement, these associations emphasized their right to be heard, demanding "truly inclusive listening" from Pope Leo XIV. They plan to express their grievances regarding the management of the visit directly to the Nunciature, where the Pope is staying, on Sunday and Monday, seeking to ensure their voices are heard.

“

We deserve to be heard.