Pope Leo XIV recently visited Lourdes, a place known for miraculous healing, for the first time. He arrived from Paris on Saturday evening. Lourdes became famous after 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858, leading to her sainthood.
On Sunday, the pope led an open-air Mass attended by hundreds of thousands of people at the Prairie. His visit is centered on purification and healing, amidst the Church’s sexual abuse scandals.
Pope Leo XIV’s Mass Draws Massive Crowd
Pope Leo attracted an impressive 800,000 people in Paris for an outdoor Mass before coming to Lourdes. In Lourdes, he planned to meet with bishops, the sick, and support staff. Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, former president of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observation, discussed his anticipation of meeting the pope. He expressed admiration and support for Pope Leo XIV, who recently addressed challenges like artificial intelligence in his first encyclical letter.
“I think I love him. I think he’s doing very well (as pope). He’s talking of the challenges that we have.”
Meeting Those Recognized for Miracle Healings
Pope Leo XIV planned to meet individuals whose miracle healings have been acknowledged by the Church. These include Sister Bernadette Moriau, who overcame a spinal condition, and Antonietta Raco, who recovered from primary lateral sclerosis in 2009. He also intended to meet Delizia Cirolli, cured of Ewing’s Sarcoma when she was seven.
Spiritual Healing at Lourdes
Dr. de Franciscis emphasized the importance of spiritual healing at Lourdes. He noted that spiritual cures often surpass physical ones, remaining unnoticed.
“These so-called spiritual cures are so, so much more numerous than the physical ones that we know.”
In his book, ‘The Angels Among Us’, de Franciscis highlights the role of hospitaliers, who are devoted to caring for the sick at Lourdes. He described how serving at Lourdes often results in personal transformation and relief, impacting individuals’ lives positively.
Acknowledging Clergy Abuse Victims
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV planned to meet with seven victims of sexual assault committed by clergy. This meeting represents the pope’s commitment to accountability and repentance.
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