All mosaics by disgraced priest Fr Marko Rupnik adorning the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Lourdes will be covered ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s September visit and will remain covered indefinitely, the local bishop announced. Source: OSV News.
Although mosaics covering the basilica’s entrance were covered in March 2025, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes told the French daily La Dépêche that the mosaics on the basilica’s facade will be covered before the Pope’s September 25-28 visit to France.
“The Holy Father’s visit to Lourdes is an opportunity to take another step on this matter,” the bishop said.
“All the works on the facade will be covered and then decorated in connection with Leo XIV’s apostolic journey.”
A former Jesuit, Fr Rupnik, 71, was briefly excommunicated by the Church in 2020 for absolving an Italian novice with whom he had a sexual encounter. The excommunication was lifted after he repented.
Since then, the Slovenian priest is accused of abusing more than two dozen women over several decades. He has denied wrongdoing and is currently facing a canonical trial.
In his interview with La Dépêche, Bishop Micas said that his role was to ensure that the basilica at Lourdes “welcomes everyone”, especially victims of sexual abuse.
“Since the revelation of the serious allegations against Fr Marko Rupnik, it has become difficult, if not impossible, for these victims to come,” he explained.
“The distressed and wounded who need consolation and reparation must hold first place in Lourdes. This is the distinct grace of this sanctuary: nothing must prevent them from responding to Our Lady’s message inviting them to make a pilgrimage here.”
In 2023, Bishop Micas established a commission on Fr Rupnik’s artwork, comprising a prosecutor, a lawyer, experts in sacred art, and victims.
The mosaics were commissioned in 2008 to mark the 150th anniversary of Mary’s apparitions to St Bernadette Soubirous.
Bishop Micas said that regardless of the outcome of Fr Rupnik’s canonical trial, the mosaics will be covered indefinitely.
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Bishop: Rupnik mosaics at Lourdes to be covered before pope’s visit and remain masked indefinitely (By Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News)
