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Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Verny to Lead Vatican Child Protection Commission

The move aims to reinforce the commission's revitalized role by broadening child protection standards worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV holds a drawing during an audience with children and young people during the 'Estate Ragazzi in Vaticano' summer camp in Vatican City on Thursday. Photo by Vatican Media/EPA
FILE - Pope Leo XIV leaves after celebrating a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Sunday, June 29, 2025, where he conferred the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
Pope Leo XIV looks on during a meeting promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy in Rome, Italy, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

Overview

  • Bishop Thibault Verny became president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on July 5, replacing Cardinal Sean O’Malley.
  • The commission, founded by Pope Francis in 2014, rebounded from early setbacks to advise the church on best practices for combating abuse.
  • Verny, a member since 2022 and head of the French bishops’ child protection council, has overseen annual audits of victim reception centers after a 2021 report exposed 330,000 abuse cases in France.
  • In his first statement, Verny pledged to ensure all regions of the church share resources equitably to uphold the highest safeguarding standards.
  • Cardinal O’Malley praised the appointment as a continuation of focus on accountability and commended Pope Leo XIV for prioritizing the commission.