Pope Leo meets six abuse survivors in Lima
The pontiff spent over an hour with victims from the suppressed Sodalitium Christianae Vitae on the first full day of his Peru visit.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
Pope Leo XIV met with six survivors of clerical abuse on Thursday in Lima.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed the gathering took place at the Apostolic Nunciature on the first full day of the pope's trip to Peru. The Vatican stated that the meeting lasted for more than an hour. Before the private session, the pope offered a brief greeting in the Nunciature chapel.
The six individuals present had suffered abuse by clergy or institutional members within Peru. The Vatican noted that some of the victims had been associated with the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. This lay movement was suppressed by Pope Francis in 2025. The pope spoke with each person individually to hear their accounts of pain.
According to the Vatican statement, the pontiff discussed how to change institutional mindsets through listening and seeking truth. He reflected with the group on pathways to healing and the need to create safe environments. Upon concluding the meeting, Pope Leo thanked the survivors for their testimony. He expressed his closeness to them and to other victims he could not meet in person.
Earlier that day, the pope addressed the country's bishops. He urged them to follow the examples of Sts. Martin de Porres and Juan Macias. He said their humility teaches the Church to recognize Christ in the least among us. The pope stated that charity begins with simple gestures and a listening ear. He reminded the bishops that no person should be judged by rank, origins, or social status.
Pope Leo directly referenced the pain caused by abuses perpetrated by clergy or within Church contexts. He called for a response based on truth, justice, forgiveness, and making amends. He emphasized a resolute commitment to prevention and protection for the weakest members of the community. The pope also spoke with Peru's clergy, consecrated men and women, and laity during a mid-morning prayer.
He said Peru needs visible signs of reconciliation and love. The Church must build bridges where others raise walls, he stated. It must be ready to acknowledge its own infidelities and humbly ask forgiveness for the wounds it has caused. This responsibility extends to both the internal community and the wider society.
Pope Leo, who served as bishop of Chiclayo, played a key role in the Sodalitium case. While abuses were revealed more than two decades ago, the issue gained prominence after the 2015 publication of the book Mitad Monjes, Mitad Soldados. The book was written by Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz and survivor Pedro Salinas. It detailed alleged psychological and sexual abuse, corporal punishment, and extreme exercises within the group.
Since 2018, Ugaz and Salinas have faced a smear campaign they attribute to the Sodalitium. This has included lawsuits and the release of materials intended to discredit their work. In a 2025 interview with OSV News, Ugaz said the pope supported her and Salinas quietly since 2018 while he was bishop of Chiclayo. She noted that he helped without seeking recognition and was always present.
Ugaz stated that Prevost was among a few bishops who stood by the journalists and victims. She said the group used questionable methods to silence them. Ugaz told OSV News that justice in her case came from the Church rather than the courts. She observed that while abusers and the powerful in Peru often get away with it, the Church provided the avenue for accountability in this instance.
