A Controversial Rise: Leo XIV's Turbulent Journey to the Papacy
The American-Peruvian Pope with an Unsettled Past
Popeao Linking Up the Globes Together
Robert Prevost, poised to become Leo XIV, is a unique figure—the first US-born pope and a Peruvian citizen. Following Francis of Argentina, Prevost, if elected, will be the second pontiff hailing from South America. This South American connection is a significant signal.
Adveniat, a German Latin America aid organization, refers to Leo XIV as a "bridge-builder" between the Global North and Global South. If appointed, Prevost will offer a contrasting image to former US President Donald Trump, symbolizing unity rather than division. Father Martin Maier, Adveniat's director, emphasizes, "He stands on the side of the poor and marginalized." Prevost has already shown reluctance towards the militant Christianity adopted by the US government, demonstrated through his sharing of controversial content.
A Long Journey in Peru
Prevost embarked on his path to the church's pinnacle in Peru, where he spent 20 years, initially as a missionary, then as a priest, teacher, and, finally, as the bishop of Chiclayo. Obtaining Peruvian citizenship was essential to hold this position. Over the years, Prevost spent most of his life outside the United States, his birth country.
Controversial Accounts: Accusations and Denials
During his tenure as bishop between 2015 and 2023, Prevost frequently visited remote communities, providing extensive social services. Yolanda Díaz, a teacher and church member in Chiclayo, shared her observations with the "New York Times," stating, "Instead of viewing pastoral work as something people go to church for, he wanted the church to go to the people." Catholicism is practiced by three-quarters of Peru's population.
However, Prevost is not without controversy. Three women accused him of cover-up regarding abuse cases in his Peruvian diocese. Sarah Pearson, a spokesperson for the survivor support network SNAP, expressed concern about Prevost's handling of such cases in the past. The women alleged that Prevost did not launch an investigation, share information with Rome, or discipline the two priests involved. Prevost denied the accusations, and the diocese dismissed them. On March 25, SNAP presented the accusations to Rome on behalf of the victims, but they have yet to receive a response.
The Role of Pedro Salinas
Recently, Peruvian investigative journalist Pedro Salinas dismissed the allegations against Prevost, stating they are unfounded. Salinas believes this criticism is a strategy by the ultra-conservative faction within the Catholic Church to discredit Prevost, who they view as too progressive, particularly in his focus on abuse victims.
Salinas, a former member of the ultra-conservative Peruvian congregation Sodalicio, has spent years investigating sexual abuse cases within the congregation. In January, Pope Francis dissolved the congregation due to its misdeeds, marking the largest sexual abuse scandal in Peruvian Church history.
SNAP's Demands for the New Pope
Following these allegations, SNAP demands that Leo XIV—if elected—end the "abuse crisis" by establishing a compensation fund for victims, implementing a zero-tolerance policy, and creating an internal office to enforce these rules.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Leo XIV's election could signify the bridging of continents. An American-Peruvian individual, similar to Francis, Leo XIV represents not just theology but an understanding of the church's role in areas plagued by poverty, having personally experienced it. So far, Prevost has been recognized and active on two continents. As Leo XIV, he will represent five.
[1] Although insufficient evidence was found for criminal charges, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith conducted a canonical investigation into the accusations against Prevost. The results have not been made public at the time of this article's publication.
- Peru
- Vatican
- USA
- Leo XIV, as a US-born pope and a Peruvian citizen, could potentially serve as a "bridge-builder" between the USA and the Global South, similar to the role he played during his time in Peru.
- Despite the controversial allegations against him regarding the cover-up of abuse cases in his Peruvian diocese, Leo XIV's election could signify the Vatican's increased focus on addressing crime and justice issues, especially in South America.
- Although Pedro Salinas, a Peruvian investigative journalist, has dismissed the allegations against Leo XIV, the general public and media remain divided, regardless of politics, over whether Prevost's past actions justify his potential future role as pope.
- The current controversy surrounding Leo XIV's potential papal election highlights the ongoing tension between the Catholic Church's desire for reform and the challenges posed by its long history of crime and justice issues, especially in the USA and Peru.
