Pope Leo XIV Urges Cardinals to Hear Abuse Survivors, Calling the Scandal a Continuing Wound
The Vatican published his closed-door consistory remarks, signaling a move toward more regular, wider consultations of the College of Cardinals.
Overview
- The appeal came in his closing address to the Jan. 7–8 extraordinary consistory at the Vatican with about 170 cardinals present.
- The Holy See released the transcript on Jan. 10, making his emphasis on welcoming and listening to victims public.
- He asked cardinals to tell bishops that survivors’ suffering has often deepened because they were not received or heard.
- He invited the College of Cardinals to reconvene in June and indicated such meetings should be held at least annually.
- Consistory convener Robert Prevost relayed a survivor’s account of being ignored and offered financial assistance to cardinals who face travel costs.