Pope to Address 2,000 French Church Abuse Survivors Amid Calls for Action

WHO:

ABC News - About 2,000 people have reported being sexually abused by priests or other church representatives in France.

ABC News - Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet privately with seven survivors of sexual abuse during his visit to France.

ABC News - Cécile Reneaume, 34, is a survivor who received reparations from the Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation (INIRR).

ABC News - Eric, 55, is a survivor who was raped by a priest between the ages of 8 and 14.

ABC News - Philippe Gomes was 49 in 2023 when he recalled being a victim of sexual abuse by two priests from ages 7 to 12.

WHAT:

ABC News - About 2,000 people have sought reparations from the INIRR, which was created to address church abuse.

ABC News - The INIRR has made over 1,184 decisions granting financial or other reparations.

ABC News - Survivors awarded reparations received an average of 36,892 euros ($42,186) each.

ABC News - The INIRR closed to new submissions on August 31 but will continue to support victims until the end of the following year.

ABC News - Survivors may receive nonfinancial support, including help writing their stories and organizing meetings with church representatives.

WHERE:

ABC News - The INIRR operates in France, addressing cases of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.

WHEN:

ABC News - Pope Leo XIV's four-day visit to France is set to begin on a Friday.

ABC News - The INIRR will continue to accompany victims until the end of next year.

WHY:

ABC News - The French Catholic bishops’ conference agreed to provide reparations following a 2021 report estimating that 330,000 children were sexually abused over 70 years by church figures in France.

ABC News - The report described a “systemic” cover-up by church officials and urged the French Catholic Church to respect the rule of law.

HOW:

ABC News - Survivors receive a “letter of recognition” from the INIRR that acknowledges the abuse and details the financial compensation.

ABC News - The compensation process involves the INIRR approving financial compensation, which is then sent to a special fund financed by the church for payment.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 20:03 UTC)

About 2,000 people have reported being sexually abused by priests or other church representatives in France, prompting the establishment of the Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation, or INIRR, which has granted reparations to many survivors. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet privately with seven survivors during his upcoming four-day visit to France, as the INIRR continues to support victims until the end of next year. Survivors awarded reparations have received an average of 36,892 euros, and the INIRR has made over 1,184 decisions to provide financial or other forms of support to those affected.