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6h ago

New Pope Leo XIV Faces Calls for Zero-Tolerance Policy on Clergy Abuse

Survivor groups demand investigations into allegations of mishandled abuse cases during his tenure in Chicago and Peru.

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Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
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Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, has been accused of mishandling clergy sexual abuse allegations in Chicago and Peru prior to his papacy.
  • Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is urging the new pope to establish a universal zero-tolerance policy and investigate his past oversight of abuse cases.
  • In Chicago, Prevost allegedly allowed a priest accused of abuse to reside near a Catholic elementary school without informing the school of the accusations.
  • As bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, Prevost reportedly failed to open an investigation into abuse allegations and sent insufficient information to the Vatican, according to survivors.
  • The Vatican and the Diocese of Chiclayo have denied any wrongdoing, while survivor groups emphasize the need for transparency and decisive action during Pope Leo XIV's early tenure.