Pope Leo XIV has issued his first public statement on the clergy abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church, calling for zero tolerance and institutional transparency during a message delivered in Peru.

In remarks shared during a public performance in Lima, the pontiff condemned all forms of abuse within church ranks and encouraged a culture built on listening to survivors, accountability, and support from a free press, LA Times reported.

Leo’s message was read aloud Friday evening during a theatrical production centered on the case of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Catholic community founded in 1971 that has been at the center of widespread abuse and financial corruption claims in Peru.

The statement was a response to the work of Paola Ugaz, a Peruvian journalist who has investigated the Sodalitium for years alongside fellow reporter Pedro Salinas. Both have faced legal retaliation for their reporting by individuals connected to the group.

Pope Leo, who previously served for two decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru, expressed support for victims and the press in what became his first public commentary on the issue. The message was read aloud on stage by the Vatican’s envoy in Peru, Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu, with Ugaz present.

Pope’s Personal Ties to Peru Add Weight

Before becoming pontiff, Leo served as Bishop Robert Prevost, the Vatican’s liaison for abuse victims in Peru. In that role, he facilitated financial settlements for some individuals harmed by members of the Sodalitium community.

His past directly connects him to the long-standing crisis. This background has raised hopes among victims and advocates that Leo will implement more decisive reforms than were made under his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Leo’s remarks reflect not only a moral stance but an institutional obligation. He now oversees the dissolution process of the Sodalitium and the redistribution of its significant financial resources following its 2025 suppression.

Message Delivered During Public Play

The choice to broadcast Leo’s statement during a theatrical performance underscores the Vatican’s effort to reach audiences outside traditional ecclesiastical venues. The play was based on journalism that exposed the Sodalitium’s history of abuse and corruption.

In his remarks, Leo addressed the need for proactive measures within the Church. He stated that uprooting patterns of abuse requires internal reform based on accountability and transparency.

“It is urgent to root in the whole church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse — neither of power or authority, nor abuse of conscience, spiritual or sexual abuse,” Pope Leo emphasized in his message.

Media's Role in Pursuing Justice

The pope also recognized the dangers faced by journalists investigating institutional wrongdoing. He thanked reporters like Ugaz for their contributions and urged governments to protect their efforts.

“This culture will only be authentic if it is born of active vigilance, of transparent processes and sincere listening to those who have been hurt. For this, we need journalists,” he said.

He reinforced his stance by calling a free press a public good and insisted that “a free press is a common good that cannot be renounced.”

Survivors Push for Stronger Measures

Pope Leo’s call for reform comes as survivors seek a stricter zero-tolerance approach than what has previously been implemented. Many feel that existing safeguards have failed to prevent further harm.

With the Vatican currently in control of Sodalitium’s assets, the coming months will be a test of Leo’s leadership on institutional accountability. Survivors and advocates are closely watching how these dismantling efforts unfold.

As one of Pope Francis’s final actions before his death, the administrative suppression of Sodalitium laid the groundwork for Leo to continue overhauling Church structures involved in abuse cases. His next steps could reshape Catholic policy on a global level.