In his strongest words yet on the global clergy abuse crisis, Pope Leo XIV has declared that there should be no tolerance in the Catholic Church for any form of abuse — whether sexual, spiritual, or the abuse of authority — calling for a sweeping culture of transparency, accountability, and prevention.

The pope’s remarks came in a written message sent to a Peruvian journalist, Paola Ugaz, whose investigative work exposed the deep corruption and abuse within the now-dismantled Catholic group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. The letter was read aloud Friday night during a theatrical performance in Lima based on the abuse scandal and Ugaz’s reporting.

“It is urgent to root in the whole Church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse – neither of power or authority nor abuse of conscience, spiritual or sexual abuse,” Leo wrote. “This culture will only be authentic if it is born of active vigilance, transparent processes, and sincere listening to those who have been hurt. For this, we need journalists.”

Pope Leo’s message underscores a defining theme of his early papacy: a commitment to justice and the defense of the vulnerable. The abuse crisis, one of the Church’s most painful and persistent wounds, is a challenge Leo knows well.

Before being elected pope in 2024 following Pope Francis’s death, Leo—then Cardinal Robert Prevost—spent over two decades serving in Peru, where Sodalitium Christianae Vitae was founded in 1971. As a bishop, he listened to survivors, advocated for justice, and helped some victims reach financial settlements.

Later, when Pope Francis brought him to the Vatican in 2023, he played a critical role in dismantling the powerful organization, including overseeing the resignation of one of its leading bishops. The group was officially suppressed earlier this year, just prior to Francis’ death.

Now, Pope Leo is overseeing the final dismantling of the organization and the management of its assets. Vatican envoy Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu is assigned to handle the process on the ground. Bertomeu appeared on stage with Ugaz during Friday’s event to deliver Leo’s words.

The pope also used the opportunity to speak boldly in support of press freedom. “A free press is a common good that cannot be renounced,” he wrote, urging governments to protect the role of journalists, especially those who challenge power and expose abuse.

Both Ugaz and fellow journalist Pedro Salinas, himself a survivor of Sodalitium, have faced years of harassment and legal action for exposing the group’s crimes. They praised Pope Leo for his firm stance and his history of standing with victims.

Survivors and advocates hope Leo’s leadership signals a new chapter in the Church’s response to abuse—one marked by action rather than apology. Many are calling on him to go even further than his predecessor by enforcing a consistent zero-tolerance policy, even for cases involving adult victims and spiritual coercion.

Pope Leo’s message makes one thing clear: the Catholic Church must no longer protect its reputation at the expense of its people. “No form of abuse should be accepted,” he stated, “and we must never grow tired of listening to the voices of those who have suffered.”