09.05.2025 17:30
The new Pope's handling of sexual abuse cases during the tenure of Pope Leo XIII in Peru in 2022 has come under criticism. A U.S.-based civil society organization stated, "We are concerned about Cardinal Prevost's election as pope. He has been accused of ignoring allegations against two nuns."
After the white smoke that rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel yesterday, the messages given by Pope Leo XIV, who was introduced to the world from the great loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, regarding his past and the prominent issues to date, are under scrutiny by the international press. It is noted that Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized disarmament and peace in his first speech, is not expected to follow a path very different from that of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.
In the highlighted news and comments, it was pointed out that Pope Leo XIV signaled his support for the protection of the weak and vulnerable, as he did in yesterday's speech, and that he consistently emphasized social justice during his time as a Cardinal. Some claims regarding the days when Pope Leo XIV served as the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru have also emerged.
BOMB SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATION
According to reports in the U.S. media, the way the Pope handled sexual abuse cases during his tenure in Peru in 2022 has become a subject of criticism. Three women who spoke to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) claimed that they were sexually abused by priests in Chiclayo before Prevost became a bishop, but no investigation was opened regarding the matter, and the bishopric allowed the relevant priests to perform rituals. According to the allegations presented in SNAP, the statements of the three women were not taken by Church officials, and the allegations were not reported to civil authorities, nor were psychological support or assistance provided to the women.
THE ORGANIZATION ARCHIVING THE CASES IS ALSO CONCERNED
Anne Barrett Doyle, a board member of the U.S.-based civil society organization (CSO) "Bishop Accountability," which archives cases of harassment and sexual abuse involving Catholic clergy, also made a written statement following Prevost's election as pope. In the statement, she said, "We are concerned about Cardinal Prevost's election as pope. The known abuse record is alarming, with one exception. He has been accused by victims of ignoring allegations against two nuns in the former bishopric in Peru and has a history of resisting the disclosure of information regarding abuse to the public."
It was alleged that Prevost maintained the confidentiality of cases involving bishops accused of sexual abuse and covering up these cases while he was at the head of the Bishops' Conference, and that he did not disclose the names of these individuals. Doyle claimed that Prevost did not disclose the name of any abuser during his time as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 and avoided doing so. The New York Times also reported that while Prevost opened an investigation during his time as Bishop of Chiclayo, the Vatican closed it. The report noted that the investigation was reopened after a new bishop arrived. The Vatican denied allegations regarding Pope Leo XIV's involvement in the matter.
POPE LEO XIV'S POSITION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
It is known that Prevost emphasized that the time has come to move from "words to action" regarding the worsening environmental crisis facing the world. He stated that the dominion over nature, which he described as a task given to humanity by God, should not become "bullying," and that there should be a "reciprocal relationship" with the environment.
Prevost reiterated the Vatican's commitment to protecting the environment by suggesting the installation of solar panels and the transition to electric vehicles. It is noted that the new Pope Leo XIV is close to Pope Francis's vision regarding aid to the poor and migrants, aside from climate issues.
NOTABLE ASPECTS OF THE NEW POPE
International media reported that Pope Leo XIV speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese well, and can read Latin and German, while his admiration for tennis was highlighted.
Italian media wrote that "among the elected American cardinals, Prevost is the least American," noting that his family's Italian-French roots and having spent 20 years in Peru played a role in this.
It was stated that Prevost comes from the understanding of "embracing everyone" and "inclusivity" prevalent among American Catholics, and he stands out with his emphasis on social justice and the protection of the vulnerable.
Prevost, who graduated from the same university as former U.S. President Barack Obama, is noted to follow a different line from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
WHO IS THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE PREVOST AND WHY DID HE CHOOSE THE NAME LEO?
The American Cardinal Prevost, elected as the new pope in the Vatican Conclave, was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. Having served in Peru for many years and also holding Peruvian citizenship, Prevost was ordained as a priest in 1982 and was made a Cardinal by his predecessor Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.
Prevost also holds the title of being the second pope from the Americas and the first from the U.S. The new pope, who was elected by receiving at least 89 votes from the 133 cardinals in the Conclave and chose the name "Leo XIV" after accepting this position, had this preference explained by Vatican Spokesperson Matteo Bruni. Bruni stated that Prevost was inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and initiated the "modern social doctrine of the Church." He described this as a reference to humanity in the era of artificial intelligence and not a coincidence.
Comments in the Italian press also pointed out that Pope Leo XIII was notable for being a pope who took steps towards the modernization of the Church during a significant transitional period in the world between the two centuries.