Pope Leo XIV has called for a cultural shift within the Catholic Church that refuses to tolerate abuse “in any form,” as he publicly praised a Peruvian journalist for her work exposing abuse within a powerful Catholic organization.
In his first public statement on clerical abuse since becoming pope on May 8, Leo commended investigative journalist Paola Ugaz, who has faced legal threats and death threats for her reporting on the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a prominent Catholic group with deep ties to Peru’s elite.
“It is urgent to ingrain throughout the Church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse—neither of power or authority, nor of conscience or spirituality, nor sexual,” Leo wrote. “This culture will only be authentic if it is born of active vigilance, transparent processes, and sincere listening to those who have been hurt.”
He emphasized the essential role of journalism in cultivating that culture, describing Ugaz and other Peruvian journalists as courageous and dedicated to the truth in their investigations into the SCV, which has since been dissolved.
Pope Leo, who previously served as a missionary and bishop in Peru, had firsthand knowledge of the SCV abuse cases and played a key role in ensuring action was taken against the group. Several survivors credited his involvement with moving investigations forward.
In his message, Leo stressed the need for the Church to walk “a concrete path of humility, truth, and reparation,” echoing Pope Francis’ 2018 pledge to protect minors and vulnerable adults. He insisted that addressing abuse must go beyond policy—it must reflect a true internal transformation.
The pope’s support for journalists marks a shift in tone, as some church leaders have previously criticized media coverage of abuse scandals. Leo, however, praised those who exposed the SCV’s wrongdoing for their “courage, patience, and fidelity to the truth,” despite facing “unjust attacks.”
His message was read on June 20 during a performance in Lima of Proyecto Ugaz, a play depicting Ugaz’s years-long investigation into the SCV. The reading was delivered by Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, a Vatican investigator, with Ugaz present on stage.
Leo emphasized that journalism is vital in ensuring the Church is a place “where no one suffers in silence” and where “truth is not seen as a threat, but as a path to liberation.”
He also addressed broader press freedom issues, particularly in Peru, where journalists have faced rising intimidation since the removal of President Pedro Castillo in 2022.
“In this time of profound institutional and social tensions, defending free and ethical journalism is not only an act of justice, but a duty of all those who yearn for a solid and participatory democracy,” the pope stated. “Wherever a journalist is silenced, the democratic soul of a country is weakened.”
Shortly after his election, Leo met with media representatives in the Vatican, where he reiterated his support for a free press and called for the release of imprisoned journalists. Ugaz, who attended the meeting, greeted him with a smile, offering him a box of chocolates and a Peruvian scarf.
Reflecting on that encounter, Pope Leo described journalism as a “sacred mission,” calling journalists “bridges between the facts and the conscience of the people.”
