Pope Leo XIV traveled to Lourdes from Paris on Saturday evening, marking his first visit to this notable site of miraculous healings. Lourdes gained fame in 1858 when a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have experienced 18 visions of the Virgin Mary at the Massabielle Grotto, leading to her eventual canonization as a saint.
The pope’s schedule included a prayer at the Grotto on Saturday night, followed by an open-air Mass on Sunday at the Prairie, which attracted hundreds of thousands of attendees. Pope Leo also planned meetings with bishops, the sick, and those who support them.
Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, former president of the Lourdes Office of Medical Observation, shared insights about his upcoming meeting with the pope. Dr. de Franciscis spoke of the pope’s visit as a mission of purification and healing, particularly following the Church’s recent sexual abuse scandals.
Pope Leo XIV’s approach as a leader received admiration from Dr. de Franciscis, who noted the pope’s first encyclical on artificial intelligence, suggesting its potential benefit to the modern world.
The pope’s itinerary included meetings with individuals whose miraculous recoveries have been recognized by the Church. Among them are Sister Bernadette Moriau, who overcame a spinal condition, and Antonietta Raco, cured of primary lateral sclerosis in 2009. Delizia Cirolli, who experienced healing from Ewing’s Sarcoma as a child, was also scheduled to meet the pope.
In an interview for “The Angels Among Us,” Dr. de Franciscis discussed the hospitaliers, known as the “angels of Lourdes.” These dedicated caregivers play a critical role, as many healings at Lourdes are spiritual and often unnoticed. The spiritual aspect significantly outweighs the physical healings known to the public.
“These so-called spiritual cures are so, so much more numerous than the physical ones that we know.” – Dr. de Franciscis
The experience of serving in Lourdes often profoundly impacts the volunteers themselves, contributing to their personal growth and transformation upon returning to their daily lives.
In addition to his spiritual duties, Pope Leo XIV’s visit focused on repentance and accountability. He planned to meet with seven victims of clergy sexual assault, reinforcing his commitment to healing within the Church.