Pope Leo meets abuse survivors in Peru

Pope Leo XIV met on Thursday with six survivors of abuse by clergy members and church institutions in Peru, as thousands of young people gathered at Lima's National Stadium to welcome him during his Latin America trip, according to Vatican News.

According to a statement by the Holy See Press Office, the meeting took place at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lima and lasted over an hour.

Following a brief greeting in the Nunciature's chapel, the pope met individually with the survivors and listened to their accounts of suffering and pain.

They also discussed the need for a change in mindset within the church through listening to victims, seeking the truth, supporting healing processes and creating safe environments.

Earlier, thousands of young people gathered at Lima's National Stadium to welcome Leo, whose return to Peru was marked by an emotional reception.

The stadium was filled with flags from several Latin American countries, including Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil and Ecuador.