Scandal Surrounding Pope Leo XIV: Accusations of Cover-ups and Negligence
A Rising Star With a Dark Past
Pope forges global alliance
Meet Pope Leo XIV, the US-born, Peru-adopted leader of the Catholic Church. He's a bridge-builder between continents, an advocate for the marginalized, and a beacon of hope for the Global South. Or so it seems.
Born and raised in the US, Leo XIV spent decades in Peru, navigating the slums and remote areas, earning Peruvian citizenship along the way. His unparalleled dedication to the people earned him the respect of many, making him an ideal candidate for the papacy.
The Wholesome Image Tarnished
But beneath the surface, there's a darker side to this inspiring story. In the years he spent in Peru, allegations of mishandling abuse cases and cover-ups have followed him, hammering an unsettling crack in his wholesome image.
As bishop in Peru from 2015 to 2023, Leo XIV was a regular visitor to remote communities and slums, championing the role of laypeople in social work. However, several women accused him of failing to act when confronted with abuse cases within his Peruvian diocese. These accusations were detailed in a complaint from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), who expressed deep concern about Prevost's alleged inaction.
Denials and Silence
In response to the accusations, Prevost denied wrongdoing, while the Diocese of Chiclayo dismissed the claims. Yet the victims' organization SNAP has been left hanging, waiting for a response from the Vatican ever since submitting the complaint to Rome on March 25, 2025.
Los Angeles Times investigative journalist Pedro Salinas dismissed the accusations as baseless, suggesting they were part of an ultra-conservative campaign to discredit Prevost and undermine his progressive approach to the Church. Salinas himself is no stranger to controversy, having left the ultra-conservative Peruvian congregation Sodalicio, which Pope Francis disbanded in 2021 due to its involvement in multiple abuse cases.
The Pope's Response
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost now faces mounting pressure from survivors and advocacy groups to address the ongoing 'abuse crisis' within the Church. SNAP is urging him to establish a compensation fund for victims, implement a zero-tolerance policy in church law, and create an internal office to enforce these rules.
Regardless of how Prevost chooses to handle the issue, his papacy will undoubtedly be marked by this controversy. A man built on bridging continents, his legacy may just as easily be defined by a scandal that has split public opinion.
Sources:
- CBS News
- Los Angeles Times
- The Washington Post
- NPR
- The Vatican remains silent over allegations against Pope Leo XIV, initiated by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), regarding baseless claims of abuse cover-ups during his tenure as the bishop of Peru.
- Despite pushback from the ultra-conservative Peruvian congregation, some journalists, such as Pedro Salinas of the Los Angeles Times, question the validity of the accusations against Pope Leo XIV, suggesting they could be politically motivated.
- After the rise of allegations against Pope Leo XIV, international news outlets such as CBS News, The Washington Post, and NPR have reported on the ongoing crisis of abuse within the Catholic Church under the leadership of the US-born Pope.
- As a result of the various accusations against Pope Leo XIV, the general-news media keeps a watchful eye on the Vatican, waiting to see if Pope Leo XIV will respond to the demands from victims' organizations and advocacy groups to address the issue of abuse in the Church.
