Pope Leo meets victims of clergy sexual abuse in Spain

Pope Leo XIV holds a private meeting with clergy sexual abuse survivors on the third day of his Papal tour in Spain.

He also urges leaders to embrace peace in a rare address at parliament.

The pope then joins faithfuls for prayers at Madrid's Almudena Cathedral before

wrapping up his day with a visit to football team Real Madrid's stadium.

Lawmakers give Pope Leo XIV a seven-minute standing ovation at the Spanish Parliament after the pontiff called for respectfor migrants' rights and international law.

The rare address signals a new level of acceptance of the Catholic Church in the overwhelmingly secular country. 

The American pope says a "moral renewal" was necessary to ensure respect for the inherent dignity of all people, including migrants, the unborn and the most vulnerable.

Leo goes on to meet with six survivors of clergy sexual abuse at the Vatican embassy.

According to a statement from the Vatican, the pope vows to consider their suggestions for how the Catholic Church can improve its response to the crisis.

This comes as Spain's Catholic leaders recently begins to acknowledge its legacy

of abuse and cover-up after years of  dismissing the severity of the scandal.

A government report in 2023 puts the estimated number of victims in Spain at over 8,000.

The encounter marks Leo's first publicly known meeting with victims while on a foreign visit.

The pontiff then arrives at the Cathedral of Holy Mary of Almudena where Spain's former Queen Sofia greets him.

Following a prayer and a short ceremony, he offered the highest Papal honour "The Golden Rose" to the Virgen Almudena.

Leo left the cathedral to reach the Stadium Santiago Bernabeu where Real Madrid President Florentino Perez shows off trophies and presents the pope with a football shirt.

Leo then continues on to the arena where a waiting crowd of 80,000 bursts into a roaring cheer.

One faithful says he feels great hope and deep appreciation for the Pope's visit,and its a reminder for people "to not give up on Jesus."

Leo calls the event "an amazing goal" for the Madrid Church.