Pope Leo XIV Reflects on France Visit, Arms Industry, and Church Abuse
- Pope Leo XIV addressed the press corps on September 28, during his return flight from Metz to Rome, criticizing the global arms trade and detailing his pastoral visits...
- Pope Leo XIV described his four-day apostolic voyage as intensely blessed and spiritually transformative.
- Transitioning to international affairs, the Pope condemned the economic incentives driving global conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the press corps on September 28, during his return flight from Metz to Rome, criticizing the global arms trade and detailing his pastoral visits across France. He stated that billions spent on the armaments industry could instead solve world hunger, while reflecting on events in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz.
Reflections on the French Apostolic Journey
Pope Leo XIV described his four-day apostolic voyage as intensely blessed and spiritually transformative. Speaking to the 80 journalists accompanying him on the flight, he noted that the itinerary was demanding but fruitful. He highlighted a gathering at the Stade de France, where 80,000 young people from across the country convened, demonstrating a palpable quest for meaning, joy, and hope. The pontiff singled out the massive youth turnout as one of the standout moments of the tour. He remarked that the young participants offered a distinct sense of hope that they could share with others.
Criticism of the Global Arms Industry
Transitioning to international affairs, the Pope condemned the economic incentives driving global conflicts. He emphasized that the Catholic Church continues to proclaim the Gospel against the backdrop of war.
Quelques-uns s'enrichissent grâce à l'industrie de l'armement; avec ces milliards, on pourrait résoudre des problèmes tels que la faim dans le monde.
Vatican News The pontiff also fielded questions regarding the war in Europe, the necessity of negotiation, the rise of extremism in Germany and across the continent, artificial intelligence, and the European housing crisis.
Addressing Systemic Abuse Within the Church
During the flight press conference, journalists questioned the Pope about sexual abuse within the clergy, specifically addressing its systemic nature in France. Cyriac Zeller of I-Media asked whether the pontiff recognized a systemic character to these abuses following a meeting with seven victims the previous day. Pope Leo XIV clarified that while some victims described the abuses as systemic, he prefers to view the situation carefully, noting that certain organizations within the Church have behaved as abusive systems. He stressed that sexual abuse remains fundamentally a human problem, though it inflicts a unique wound on the faith lives of individuals, placing a special responsibility on the Church to aid in healing.
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