Letter To The Pope 4/6

This letter is part of a series: 1/6 · 2/6 · 3/6 · 4/6 · 5/6 · 6/6

Following the death of Pope Francis, we felt it important to write promptly to his successor, Pope Leo, to ensure continuity of the dialogue that had begun in Brussels. The letter was prepared in haste and, unlike earlier correspondence, does not contain a formal evaluation.

It was signed unanimously by all fifteen survivors who had met Pope Francis. Rather than offering a score, the letter recalls his commitment to meet us again and stresses the urgency created by the age and circumstances of many victims.

At its core, the letter poses a simple challenge to the new Pope: will he show the same courage and determination as his predecessor in addressing our cause?

All letters were delivered through diplomatic post via the Nunciature.

Read the full letter below, dated May 4th, 2025.

Your Holiness, I am one of the 15 survivors of sexual abuse who met with your predecessor, Pope Francis, during his visit to Belgium in September 2024.

At that time, he listened to our stories with great humanity and humility. He said he wanted to meet us again, and a reunion was promised in Vatican City. This planned reunion had two purposes: to see us again and check how we’re doing, and to review how the Church in Belgium has been treating victims of sexual abuse.

In preparation for this evaluation, I started writing light-hearted “school report cards” to Pope Francis … Fall, Christmas… though sadly, he never got the Easter one. I have attached it here for you.

He replied to an earlier report, which then led to our planned visit in September 2025 — exactly one year later — with himself, or his successor.

I trust that the practical side of this visit is being handled well through the Nunciature and that we will have the chance to meet to offer you our evaluation.

I can’t give you a preview of this evaluation, not even a high-level one. That will have to wait until September. But I can share what the spirit will be.

Namely, that the heart of the matter is that many of these victims are aging and often live in poverty. For many, reparations will come too late. That’s why we need real action, not just words.

I like to think Pope Francis understood this. I hope that the new Papacy will find the courage to bring urgency and concrete action to these matters.

Hence my question to you: Will you? - Francis & 14 co-signatories, May 4th, 2025