5 abuse victims meet with Pontiff

November 10, 2026

Pope Leo XIV met privately for over an hour with five Argentine victims of clergy abuse.

Following the meeting at the apostolic nunciature in Buenos Aires, the Holy See Press Office issued a statement:

Pope Leo XIV had a meeting with five people, victims of abuse by members of the clergy and ecclesial institutions in the country, presented by the local Church. The Pope spoke individually with each one of them, listening to their words, the painful experiences they had endured and their suggestions for strengthening paths to healing within the Church. At the end, as he bid them farewell together, he imparted his blessing upon them and thanked them for the meeting and their witness of faith.

To them, and through them to the other victims whom it was not possible to meet, the Pope expressed his closeness and his desire to strengthen pathways of protection, goodness, welcome and support within the Church.

Sergio Salinas Giordano, director of Ending Clergy Abuse, said that “we profoundly respect the five people who spoke to the Pope and what each one of them said,” but added that other victims—besides the victims selected by Argentine bishops—should have had the opportunity to meet with the Pope.

 

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Further information:

• Meeting with Social Movements and the World of Work at the Catholic University of Argentina (Holy See Press Office, 11/9/26)
• Pope meets with survivors of clergy abuse in Argentina as it reckons with legacy and ongoing cases (AP, 11/9/26)