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19h ago

Pope Leo XIV Names French Bishop to Lead Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

His track record in overseeing France’s annual church audits highlights the Vatican’s focus on survivor support through rigorous accountability.

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

  • Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Thibault Verny as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, succeeding Cardinal Sean O’Malley.
  • Verny has been a commission member since 2022 and currently heads the child protection council of the French Bishops Conference.
  • He directs annual audits of France’s victim reception centers, a process launched after a 2021 report documented 330,000 abuse victims over 70 years.
  • After early setbacks under Pope Francis, the commission has evolved into a forum where survivors can share experiences and bishops can develop protective guidelines.
  • The leadership change underscores the Vatican’s resolve to implement standardized safeguarding practices across the global Church.