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Pope Leo XIV Meets Irish Abuse Survivor David Ryan in Private Vatican Audience

The audience marked the pope’s first one-to-one meeting with a clerical abuse survivor since his 2025 appointment.

Overview

  • David Ryan says the pope apologized and listened closely to his account of abuse at Spiritan-run Blackrock College.
  • The one-to-one conversation in the papal library lasted about 45 minutes, according to accounts from Ryan and those close to the meeting.
  • Ryan presented a photograph of his late brother, Mark, for a blessing and shared personal mementos connected to their experiences.
  • Ryan says the pope voiced hope that more survivors will come forward to tell their stories.
  • One in Four CEO Deirdre Kenny held a separate meeting of about 10 minutes to discuss the charity’s work.