Pope Leo XIV Visits Lourdes, Site of Miraculous Healing

Pope Leo XIV made his way to Lourdes, arriving from Paris on Saturday evening for his first visit to the site famous for miraculous cures. Lourdes gained recognition in 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl, claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in 18 visions at the Massabielle Grotto. Her experiences led to her canonization as a saint.

Upon reaching Lourdes, the Pope spent time in prayer at the Grotto before leading an open-air Mass on the Prairie the following day, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees. The Pope’s visit aimed to deepen healing and purification, particularly in light of recent sexual abuse scandals within the Church.

“Pope Leo XIV presides over Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, France,” noted Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, who recently retired after 17 years as president of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observation.

During his visit, Pope Leo XIV planned to interact with bishops, those who have experienced miracle healings, and support staff. Dr. de Franciscis highlighted the Pope’s emphasis on the challenges facing the Church, including his views on artificial intelligence expressed in his first encyclical letter.

Individuals such as Sister Bernadette Moriau, cured from a spinal condition, and Antonietta Raco, who recovered from primary lateral sclerosis in 2009, were among those the Pope planned to meet. Delizia Cirolli, healed of Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age of 7 during the late ’70s, is another individual whose healing was acknowledged by the Church as a miracle.

In his dialogue with Dr. de Franciscis, the Pope foresees spiritual healing as a significant aspect of visits to Lourdes. Spiritual transformations often remain unnoticed, surpassing physical healings in numbers. According to de Franciscis, many people experience profound changes in their own lives after serving others at Lourdes.

Additionally, the Pope intended to speak with seven victims of clergy-perpetrated sexual assault as part of his commitment to accountability and repentance.