Several associations representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have complained about not being invited to a meeting with Pope Leo XIV reportedly due to take place in Madrid on Monday.
The Vatican has said only that there will be a meeting during the pope's visit to Spain, adding that it would not give further information until after the meeting out of "respect for the victims".
But Spanish media said it would take place on Monday afternoon at the Vatican embassy in the Spanish capital, formally known as the apostolic nunciature.
“Not being invited is a blow," Juan Cuatrecasas, spokesman for the association Infancia Robada (Stolen Childhood), told AFP on Sunday.
"I think we deserve a leading role. We have for many years been one of the associations leading the way" in denouncing child abuse, he said.
