VATICAN CITY, Sept 22 - Pope Leo heads to France on Friday for the first formal visit by a pope in nearly 20 years, which Catholic leaders hope will repair the Church's standing after a crushing 2021 report on child abuse by priests sparked nationwide shock. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pope Leo XIV will privately meet seven survivors of abuse by Catholic personnel in Lourdes during his France visit. The encounter is being closely watched as campaigners demand concrete Church action beyond apologies and compensation.