Pope Leo XIV delivered an uncompromising statement against all forms of abuse within the Catholic Church during his first public remarks on the long-running clergy abuse scandal.

In a message read aloud in Lima, the pontiff emphasized the need for transparency, prevention, and support for journalists who have exposed abuse in a powerful Peruvian Catholic group suppressed earlier this year, the New York Post reported.

The statement was presented on Friday evening during a theater performance in Peru, highlighting the abuses and financial misconduct within the now-defunct Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. The pontiff addressed his message to Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz, whose investigative reporting played a central role in revealing the group’s misconduct. The Sodalitium, founded in 1971, was formally shut down earlier this year following years of intense scrutiny and scandal.

Pope Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary priest and later a bishop in Peru, is personally acquainted with the Sodalitium case. His familiarity with the scandal has informed his leadership in overseeing the movement’s dismantling and reassignment of its assets. The group’s suppression occurred shortly before the death of Pope Francis, who had initiated the Vatican’s efforts to address the crisis.

In the written message, Pope Leo called for comprehensive reform across the global Church, emphasizing that abuse must not be allowed in any form—be it physical, spiritual, psychological, or institutional. He specifically demanded transparent procedures, increased vigilance, and sincere acknowledgment of harm done. His words echoed growing concerns that more decisive action is required to address abuse, even among adults, and extend justice beyond current boundaries.

Pontiff Sends Supportive Message To Lima Stage Event

The pope’s remarks gained added significance as they were read during a public performance focused on the Sodalitium scandal and Ugaz’s tireless reporting. The message was delivered by Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, the Vatican’s envoy in Peru, who joined Ugaz on stage. The event served as a platform for survivors and journalists who have faced years of opposition in pursuit of the truth.

Among them is Pedro Salinas, a journalist and victim of abuse within the Sodalitium community, who collaborated with Ugaz on uncovering decades of misconduct. Both have endured years of civil and criminal lawsuits from the group and its defenders. Their experiences underscore the personal risks faced by those who hold religious institutions accountable.

Referencing these struggles, Pope Leo underscored the essential role journalists play in ensuring justice is pursued and transparency upheld. He lauded the press as a foundational social good that must be protected at all costs. Emphasizing that their work strengthens accountability, he urged governments and authorities to shield reporters from retaliation.

Pope’s Experience In Peru Shapes His Response

This marks Pope Leo’s first direct public engagement with the broader issue of clergy abuse since assuming the papacy. His connections to Peru and the victims of Sodalitium place him in a unique position to follow through on reform initiatives. Advocates of zero-tolerance policies view this as a crucial testing ground for his commitment to change.

Under his leadership, the Vatican continues to manage the fallout from Sodalitium’s collapse, including the disposition of the movement’s extensive holdings. Then-Bishop Robert Prevost, a key figure in Sodalitium’s investigation, previously worked with victims and helped facilitate compensation before being brought to the Vatican. In 2023, Pope Francis placed him in a central role to finalize the resignation of a senior Sodalitium bishop and oversee the order’s disbandment.

Leo’s vow to establish systems that identify and prevent all types of institutional harm represents a decisive shift. It signals an awareness that reform must go beyond addressing isolated incidents and instead target the structures that have enabled abuse across generations.

Survivors Press For Stronger Action Than Predecessor

Despite the encouraging rhetoric, survivors of clergy abuse argue that words alone are not sufficient. Many hope Pope Leo will advance beyond his predecessor’s strategies to enforce full accountability for clerics who abuse adults as well as minors. The Church’s previous reluctance to classify adult victim cases as grievous has been a source of ongoing frustration for advocates.

The message’s assertion that a true culture of prevention needs both vigilance and transparency has sparked renewed interest in how the Vatican will address current protocols. Those tracking Leo’s moves closely are watching whether meaningful disciplinary standards will now be applied more broadly, including in cases that previously fell outside canonical definitions.

Importantly, the pope’s statement also emphasized active listening to those who have been hurt, an apparent nod to survivors who often say their voices are overlooked in internal investigations. For supporters of continued reform, such attention offers a chance for improvement—if matched with effective action.

Call For Transparency Echoes Broader Church Reforms

The public reading of the papal message was viewed by many as a powerful acknowledgment of the importance of open dialogue and accountability. By selecting a stage performance as the venue for releasing his comments, Pope Leo not only reached a local audience but also symbolized his support for those who have exposed abuse despite threats and lawsuits.

His praise of journalists aligned closely with the stories of Ugaz and Salinas, both of whom have fought protracted legal battles brought against them by individuals linked to the Sodalitium. Their reporting—documenting financial mismanagement alongside spiritual and physical abuse—has been at the heart of calls for systemic change within the local Peruvian Church and beyond.

While the dismantling of the Sodalitium may be largely completed, many observers believe the lessons from this scandal must inform global Church practices moving forward. Pope Leo’s message seemed to endorse that view and promised continued engagement with journalists, survivors, and watchdogs for reform.