Pope Leo meets abuse survivors in Peru, urges Church to make amends

Pope Leo XIV met six survivors of clerical abuse during his visit to Peru, according to France 24 and Al Jazeera English. The meeting included victims linked to the disbanded Catholic society Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which was shut down in 2025 amid abuse and corruption allegations.

The US-born pope spent over an hour with the survivors, listening to their stories and reflecting on ways to foster healing and create safe environments, the Vatican said as reported by France 24. He thanked the victims for their testimony and emphasized the need for the Church to confront abuse with truth and justice.

Addressing bishops in Peru, Pope Leo called for the Catholic Church to make amends to victims and strengthen protections against future abuse, according to Al Jazeera English. This visit marks a return to the country where he served for nearly two decades as a missionary and bishop.

Despite the meeting, hundreds of other victims say they remain excluded and continue seeking justice and accountability from the Church, Al Jazeera English reported.

The pope’s engagement with survivors and his call for the Church to address abuse reflect ongoing efforts to respond to past clerical abuse and prevent future incidents.