Pope Leo XIV urges zero tolerance for abuse in the Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV has called for an uncompromising stance against all forms of abuse within the Catholic Church—whether sexual, spiritual, or related to power and authority—emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and preventive measures.

In his first public remarks on the clergy abuse crisis, Leo delivered a written message to Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz, who investigated the high-profile abuse and financial misconduct scandal involving the Peruvian Catholic group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. His message was read during a theatrical performance in Lima based on the scandal and Ugaz's reporting.

“There must be no tolerance for any form of abuse—be it of power, conscience, spirituality, or sexuality,” Leo stated. “True prevention must be rooted in vigilance, transparent processes, and the sincere listening of victims. For this, we need journalists.”

Leo's familiarity with the Sodalitium case runs deep. As a missionary priest and later a bishop in Peru, he was directly involved in addressing the scandal. Then known as Bishop Robert Prevost, he served as the Peruvian bishops’ lead for abuse cases and helped victims obtain financial settlements.

After joining the Vatican under Pope Francis in 2023, Prevost played a key role in dismantling the Sodalitium, including overseeing the resignation of a senior bishop tied to the group. The Vatican officially dissolved the organization earlier this year, shortly before Pope Francis passed away.

Now, as Pope, Leo XIV is tasked with overseeing the final dissolution of the Sodalitium and managing its considerable assets.