Pope Leo’s Abuse Instructions “Hollow” Without Accountability for His Own Failures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2025

Pope Leo’s latest remarks to bishops instructing them not to hide sexual abuse allegations are hollow and disingenuous. Behind closed doors, he tells bishops what survivors have demanded for decades, yet in practice he has refused to abide by these standards himself. In Peru, his former Diocese of Chiclayo has smeared and attacked victims in his name, and he has never taken responsibility. He has ignored every single reform SNAP presented to him in a letter on the day of his election.

“Pope Leo’s instructions cannot be taken seriously given his own track record over the last few years,” said Peter Isely, head of SNAP's Global Advocacy. “He speaks of accountability while presiding over the cover-up of child sex crimes. The only thing he can do to restore trust is to implement a binding and universal zero tolerance law, immediately remove abusers from ministry, and open up the Vatican abuse archives, including his own records, to civil authorities."

Until Pope Leo confronts his own failures and implements enforceable reforms, survivors and the public should treat his statements as little more than damage control.