Pope Leo Defends Press Freedom, Vows Church Abuse Crackdown

Pope Leo XIV has publicly condemned all forms of abuse within the Catholic Church, emphasizing the urgent need to establish a culture of prevention that includes active vigilance, transparent processes, and sincere listening to victims. In his first remarks on the clerical abuse scandals, delivered at a theatrical performance in Lima, Peru, he praised the work of investigative journalists like Paola Ugaz, who faced legal and online harassment for exposing abuses within the influential Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a group that was recently disbanded following Vatican intervention. The Pope highlighted that silencing journalists weakens democracy and underscored the essential role of free and ethical journalism in promoting justice and accountability. Despite concerns raised about his past roles in the Church, including allegations of inadequate responses to abuse claims, survivors credit Pope Leo with facilitating victim support and reparations. He called for a concrete path of humility, truth, and reparation within the Church, stressing that responses to abuse must go beyond strategy to true conversion. Pope Leo's message advocates that defending press freedom and confronting abuse are intertwined duties vital to both the Church and broader society.