The Madrid diocese has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has no planned meeting with abuse victims during his visit to Spain. The encounter does not appear on the pontiff's official agenda, which begins this Saturday.
Pope Leo XIV will land in Madrid this Saturday for an official visit that will last until June 12 and include stops in Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The schedule includes 20 events, such as a speech in Congress and meetings with migrants and homeless people, but no encounter with clerical abuse victims.
The Madrid diocese replied on Monday to a victim who had requested the meeting. The letter states that “as of today, it is not planned that the Holy Father will receive abuse victims”. Church sources noted that prior conversations had taken place, although the official program does not include it.
According to EL PAÍS data, there are 3,109 victims and 1,621 accused in Spain. Several victims' associations have expressed frustration over the lack of information and the possibility that any meeting would be private and selective.
The president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Luis Argüello, said last week that the meeting depended on the pope's personal agenda. Madrid's cardinal, José Cobo, suggested it could take place in Rome days later.
