Pope Leo XIV denounced the "scourge" of sexual violence by Catholic clergy on Monday and called for a "culture of care" in the Church ahead of an expected private meeting with victims in Spain.
"Faced with this scourge, the ecclesial community is called to respond with listening, truth, justice, reparation and an ever more determined commitment to prevention and a culture of care," the pope told a gathering of Spanish bishops.
"Every wounded person must be able to find sincere listening, welcome, protection and real paths to healing," he said.
Spanish media said the pope would speak later on Monday with victims at the Vatican embassy in Madrid, formally known as the apostolic nunciature.
Ahead of the meeting, representatives of some victim groups complained that they were being excluded.
