{"id":2166414,"date":"2026-09-27T16:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T13:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2166414"},"modified":"2026-09-27T16:33:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T13:33:00","slug":"pope-leo-xiv-urges-french-church-to-continue-fight-against-sexual-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2166414","title":{"rendered":"Pope Leo XIV urges French Church to continue fight against sexual abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/67\/1200x675_cmsv2_f0cfbc6c-7624-5e72-8fa0-a300004a7dbd-9929467.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2929075-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929075\" data-cid=\"9929712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929075-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/97\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_2b27fa7c-c01f-5c52-965a-c03177415fa7-9929712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters block the Garvaghy road ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade for almost 30 years\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Northern Ireland: 2,000 protesters block disputed Portadown march\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929055-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929055\" data-cid=\"9929734\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929055-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/31\/189x106_cmsv2_308ccd92-1383-5456-87c7-bf27fcf41e9b-9929631.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The demonstration filled Puerta del Sol in Madrid.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    S\u00e1nchez vows housing decree amid outrage over Maricarmen eviction\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929069-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929069\" data-cid=\"9929796\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929069-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_6cee72b8-ea3c-5fde-9a93-9ad2908d8fb0-9929694.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Poster for the neutrality initiative in Switzerland, which failed this Sunday\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How neutral should Switzerland be? Voters deliver decisive verdict\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929079-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929079\" data-cid=\"9929776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929079-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/97\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_c7530269-49a3-591e-9e76-77661814ce5c-9929776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | September 27th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | September 27th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929075-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929075\" data-cid=\"9929712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929075-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/97\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_2b27fa7c-c01f-5c52-965a-c03177415fa7-9929712.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters block the Garvaghy road ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade for almost 30 years\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Northern Ireland: 2,000 protesters block disputed Portadown march\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929055-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929055\" data-cid=\"9929734\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929055-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/31\/189x106_cmsv2_308ccd92-1383-5456-87c7-bf27fcf41e9b-9929631.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The demonstration filled Puerta del Sol in Madrid.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    S\u00e1nchez vows housing decree amid outrage over Maricarmen eviction\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929069-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929069\" data-cid=\"9929796\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929069-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/94\/189x106_cmsv2_6cee72b8-ea3c-5fde-9a93-9ad2908d8fb0-9929694.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Poster for the neutrality initiative in Switzerland, which failed this Sunday\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How neutral should Switzerland be? Voters deliver decisive verdict\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929079-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929079\" data-cid=\"9929776\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929079-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/97\/76\/189x106_cmsv2_c7530269-49a3-591e-9e76-77661814ce5c-9929776.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | September 27th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | September 27th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Pope Leo XIV urges French Church to continue fight against sexual abuse<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/67\/1536x864_cmsv2_f0cfbc6c-7624-5e72-8fa0-a300004a7dbd-9929467.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes on Sunday 27 September 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Pope Leo XIV in Lourdes on Sunday, 27 September 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Gregorio Borgia\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspOlivier Tolachides&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspSonja Issel\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790526780\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-27 18:33:00 +02:00\">27\/09\/2026 &#8211; 18:33 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div 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alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Speaking in Lourdes on Sunday morning, the Pope addressed the issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, a closely watched aspect of his visit.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Pope Leo XIV called on the Catholic Church to acknowledge its failings and confront sexual abuse as he celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes on Sunday, the latest stop on his visit to France.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After drawing nearly 800,000 people in Paris on Saturday, the pontiff was greeted by further crowds in Lourdes, where around 150,000 people attended Sunday&#8217;s Mass.<\/p>\n<p>In his homily, Leo urged the Church to take responsibility for wrongdoing within its ranks.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Church must have the courage to be the first to undergo this conversion. To heal the deep wounds, the acts of infidelity and the painful deviations committed in its midst, we must stand humbly under the Lord&#8217;s purifying gaze,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Acknowledging our own faults is essential to our spiritual progress,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<h2>Pope meets French bishops amid scrutiny over abuse<\/h2>\n<p>Earlier on Sunday, Leo met privately with France&#8217;s bishops, praising their efforts to address sexual abuse while urging them to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In recent years, you have faced with determination the painful scourge of abuse against minors committed by members of the clergy or in an ecclesial context,&#8221; he told them, according to remarks published by the Vatican.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You have taken courageous measures to respond, through listening, the search for truth, justice, forgiveness, reparation and a firm commitment to a culture of prevention and protection against these crimes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Pope urged the bishops to continue their efforts while also supporting members of the clergy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is important to continue along this path while maintaining the greatest vigilance. At the same time, your clergy needs to be supported and encouraged; I know it is the focus of your fatherly concern,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2>Survivors question selection process for papal meeting<\/h2>\n<p>The Pope was also scheduled to meet seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse on Sunday, including one person who was abused as an adult.<\/p>\n<p>However, the meeting has drawn criticism from some survivors, who questioned how participants were selected.<\/p>\n<p>In an open letter published by French newspaper Lib\u00e9ration on the day Leo arrived in Paris, a group of survivors called on him to acknowledge the Church&#8217;s responsibility and criticised the decision to allow Church officials to select those attending the meeting rather than leaving the process to survivors&#8217; organisations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Church must relinquish its position as both judge and party to the proceedings,&#8221; they wrote.<\/p>\n<p>Monsignor Pierre-Antoine Bozo, spokesperson for the French bishops&#8217; conference, said two of the seven participants had been proposed by survivors&#8217; organisations.<\/p>\n<p>He explained that the Pope had deliberately chosen a small group to allow for a more personal discussion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When it comes to listening to them, you can&#8217;t have 50 people in front of you,&#8221; Bozo said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So I think that&#8217;s really what the pope chose: to listen so that we can act and respond more effectively.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>France&#8217;s Catholic Church confronts its abuse legacy<\/h2>\n<p>The French Catholic Church has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<p>An independent investigation published in 2021 estimated that approximately 330,000 children had been sexually abused over a 70-year period by priests, other Church workers and people associated with Catholic institutions.<\/p>\n<p>The report identified around 3,000 alleged perpetrators among priests and Church workers.<\/p>\n<p>Despite criticism of the report&#8217;s methodology and conclusions, French bishops established an independent compensation system for survivors.<\/p>\n<p>To date, the system has recommended that the Church pay more than \u20ac20 million in compensation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds in Paris as 600,000 await Mass<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Lourdes: Everything you need to know about Pope Leo XIV&#8217;s visit<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Emmanuel Macron and Pope Leo XIV set out clashing world views at first meeting in France<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Pope Leo XIV<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  France<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sexual Abuse<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2929038-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929038\" data-cid=\"9929678\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929038-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/95\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_ce57d99e-9fa8-5ebc-b564-84ca4f567b1a-9929577.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Submersible seized by the Revolutionary Guards\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Five arrested following &#8216;major incident&#8217; near RAF base in UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2929001-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929001\" data-cid=\"9929499\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929001-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_928864be-7344-5891-8362-c83100d7eae9-9929454.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Guard at the Lithuanian border, June 2021\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Poland and Lithuania preparing cross-border evacuation plan<br \/>\n  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data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929038-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929038\" data-cid=\"9929678\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929038-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/95\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_ce57d99e-9fa8-5ebc-b564-84ca4f567b1a-9929577.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Submersible seized by the Revolutionary Guards\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IRGC claims, US denies seizure of underwater US drone in Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928991-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928991\" data-cid=\"9929407\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928991-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/07\/320x180_cmsv2_3ac55c06-765d-5854-98dd-8912ea25e00a-9929407.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Emergency services at the scene of an incident close to RAF Fairford,, in Whelford, England, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Five arrested following &#8216;major incident&#8217; near RAF base in UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929001-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2929001\" data-cid=\"9929499\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929001-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_928864be-7344-5891-8362-c83100d7eae9-9929454.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Guard at the Lithuanian border, June 2021\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU tells capitals to cut gas demand amid rising supply concerns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928893-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928893\" data-cid=\"9929054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928893-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/90\/50\/320x180_cmsv2_4b3c2439-a73e-5d67-91f5-7be725f59d90-9929050.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mount Etna erupting, archive image\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Etna erupts again: chaos at Catania airport, risk of higher air fares<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928991-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928991\" data-cid=\"9929407\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Five arrested following &#8216;major incident&#8217; near RAF base in UK<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928961-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928961\" data-cid=\"9929302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian foreign minister rejects Berlin&#8217;s call to abandon escalation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928870-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928870\" data-cid=\"9928977\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fat Bear Week returns as Alaska&#8217;s biggest bears compete for the crown<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928759-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928759\" data-cid=\"9928738\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump rejects Iranian plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928830-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928830\" data-cid=\"9928844\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Thousands take to the streets in Madrid over Ceuta migrant crisis<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Pope Leo XIV called on the Catholic Church to acknowledge its failings and confront sexual abuse as he celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes on Sunday, the latest stop on his visit to France.After drawing nearly 800,000 people in Paris on Saturday, the pontiff was greeted by further crowds in Lourdes, where around 150,000 people attended Sunday&#8217;s Mass.In his homily, Leo urged the Church to take responsibility for wrongdoing within its ranks.&#8221;The Church must have the courage to be the first to undergo this conversion. To heal the deep wounds, the acts of infidelity and the painful deviations committed in its midst, we must stand humbly under the Lord&#8217;s purifying gaze,&#8221; he said.&#8221;Acknowledging our own faults is essential to our spiritual progress,&#8221; he added.Pope meets French bishops amid scrutiny over abuseEarlier on Sunday, Leo met privately with France&#8217;s bishops, praising their efforts to address sexual abuse while urging them to remain vigilant.&#8221;In recent years, you have faced with determination the painful scourge of abuse against minors committed by members of the clergy or in an ecclesial context,&#8221; he told them, according to remarks published by the Vatican.&#8221;You have taken courageous measures to respond, through listening, the search for truth, justice, forgiveness, reparation and a firm commitment to a culture of prevention and protection against these crimes.&#8221;The Pope urged the bishops to continue their efforts while also supporting members of the clergy.&#8221;It is important to continue along this path while maintaining the greatest vigilance. At the same time, your clergy needs to be supported and encouraged; I know it is the focus of your fatherly concern,&#8221; he said.Survivors question selection process for papal meetingThe Pope was also scheduled to meet seven survivors of clerical sexual abuse on Sunday, including one person who was abused as an adult.However, the meeting has drawn criticism from some survivors, who questioned how participants were selected.In an open letter published by French newspaper Lib\u00e9ration on the day Leo arrived in Paris, a group of survivors called on him to acknowledge the Church&#8217;s responsibility and criticised the decision to allow Church officials to select those attending the meeting rather than leaving the process to survivors&#8217; organisations.&#8221;The Church must relinquish its position as both judge and party to the proceedings,&#8221; they wrote.Monsignor Pierre-Antoine Bozo, spokesperson for the French bishops&#8217; conference, said two of the seven participants had been proposed by survivors&#8217; organisations.He explained that the Pope had deliberately chosen a small group to allow for a more personal discussion.&#8221;When it comes to listening to them, you can&#8217;t have 50 people in front of you,&#8221; Bozo said.&#8221;So I think that&#8217;s really what the pope chose: to listen so that we can act and respond more effectively.&#8221;France&#8217;s Catholic Church confronts its abuse legacyThe French Catholic Church has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse.An independent investigation published in 2021 estimated that approximately 330,000 children had been sexually abused over a 70-year period by priests, other Church workers and people associated with Catholic institutions.The report identified around 3,000 alleged perpetrators among priests and Church workers.Despite criticism of the report&#8217;s methodology and conclusions, French bishops established an independent compensation system for survivors.To date, the system has recommended that the Church pay more than \u20ac20 million in compensation.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/27\/pope-leo-xiv-urges-french-church-to-continue-fight-against-sexual-abuse&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/94\/67\/1200x675_cmsv2_f0cfbc6c-7624-5e72-8fa0-a300004a7dbd-9929467.jpg&#8221;] No Comment Northern Ireland: 2,000 protesters block disputed Portadown march Europe News S\u00e1nchez vows housing decree amid outrage over Maricarmen eviction Europe News How neutral should Switzerland be? Voters deliver decisive verdict Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | September 27th, 2026 \u2013 Evening No Comment Northern Ireland: 2,000 protesters block [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2166414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2166414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2166414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2166414\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2166414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2166414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2166414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}