In a bold and heartfelt statement, Pope Leo XIV has called for a deep cultural transformation within the Catholic Church—one that completely rejects abuse in all its forms. Speaking out for the first time since his May 8 election, the Pope praised Peruvian investigative journalist Paola Ugaz for her fearless reporting on abuse within the now-dissolved Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a once-powerful Catholic organization tied to Peru’s elite.
“It is urgent to ingrain throughout the Church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse—neither of power or authority, nor of conscience or spirituality, nor sexual,” Pope Leo said. He emphasized that real change must go beyond policies, rooted instead in transparency, humility, truth, and active listening to victims.
Pope Leo, who previously served in Peru, had firsthand knowledge of the SCV cases and played a crucial role in pushing forward the investigations. Survivors have credited him for making justice possible.
In a powerful shift in Church tone, Leo publicly celebrated the role of journalism in exposing abuse. He hailed Ugaz and other Peruvian reporters for their “courage, patience, and fidelity to the truth,” despite facing legal threats and death threats. His message was read aloud in Lima on June 20 during a performance of Proyecto Ugaz, a theatrical tribute to her years-long investigation.
Pope Leo also addressed growing threats to press freedom in Peru, especially since the ousting of President Pedro Castillo in 2022. “Defending ethical journalism is a duty of all who desire democracy,” he declared. “Wherever a journalist is silenced, the democratic soul of a country is weakened.”
Shortly after his election, Pope Leo met with journalists at the Vatican and reaffirmed his support for a free press. Ugaz greeted him warmly with chocolates and a Peruvian scarf, to which the Pope responded by calling journalism a “sacred mission”, adding, “Journalists are bridges between the facts and the conscience of the people.”
