For this reason survivors have insisted on a binding, universal zero tolerance law that would eliminate the structures that allow the Catholic hierarchy to cover-up abuse and shield offenders with impunity.

The evidence includes recordings of church officials, direct emails from Prevost regarding the case in Chiclayo, and documents demonstrating a papal-approved retirement scheme that ended a Vatican investigation.

The message to abuse survivors is to expect the status quo: a church that continues to shield known offenders, refuses to discipline bishops who facilitate abuse by keeping rapists and abusers in power, and a church that will use every tool at their disposal to preserve this system. 

Behind closed doors, he tells bishops what survivors have demanded for decades, yet in practice he has refused to abide by these standards himself.

“This is exactly why we launched the Conclave Watch project,” said Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Board President. “Survivors and whistleblowers need a secure platform to share documents, expose the truth, and demand accountability.”

SNAP members will attend tomorrow’s Angelus in St. Peter’s Square at noon and will be available for comment afterward.

SNAP filed a complaint against Pope Leo XIV under Pope Francis’ 2023 decree Vos estis lux mundi on March 25, 2025.

As the College of Cardinals gathers to elect a new pope, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), ConclaveWatch.org, and survivor leaders from across the globe are sounding the alarm: the next pope is almost certain to have covered up clergy abuse. He will also appoint others with similar records to key Vatican positions.

"Yesterday’s acknowledgment by the College of Cardinals that abuse is a central issue for the conclave is a long-overdue step," said SNAP Founding Member and Global Advocacy Chair Peter Isely. "But words are not enough. The cardinals must act decisively—starting with full transparency around each cardinal elector's past. This is why we are urging the Vatican to treat our updated Vos Estis Lux Mundi filing with the seriousness it demands."

“It’s long overdue that the College of Cardinals finally acknowledges that clergy abuse is a defining factor in the conclave. Now they must act accordingly. The next pope cannot be another cardinal who has facilitated and enabled abuse throughout his career. If they are as serious about ending abuse as they say they are, they will announce a zero tolerance law on day one of the next papacy,” said Peter Isely.

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis, Survivors around the world are mourning what they perceive as the "tragedy" of his papacy—a preventable catastrophe for the children and vulnerable people who were abused during his tenure.

The event will focus in particular on Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, his central role in the ongoing suppression of results of an abuse investigation commissioned by the university, and SNAP’s conclusion that no American cardinal is qualified to lead the Catholic Church due to their extensive histories of enabling and covering up clergy sexual abuse.

After announcing a new initiative called Conclave Watch at a press conference Tuesday in Rome, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) formally delivered complaints yesterday against six cardinals to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) announces that key members of its leadership team are currently in Rome launching a rigorous review of cardinals considered contenders for the papacy.

As Pope Francis lies in the hospital, potentially facing the end of his life, survivors around the world are mourning what they perceive as the "tragedy" of his papacy—a preventable catastrophe for the children and vulnerable people who were abused during his tenure.