New Pope Leo XIV has been called out by critics. SOURCE: MEGA
Survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests are speaking out. They’re deeply concerned about the newly elected Pope Leo XIV.
A group representing abuse victims accused him of turning a blind eye. They claim he ignored misconduct by clergy in Chicago, where he previously served.
The criticism comes just days after his election. Now, questions swirl about his past—and whether justice for abuse victims will take a back seat.
On May 8, Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV—the first American to lead the Catholic Church. But controversy quickly followed his historic election.
Just hours later, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) accused him of covering up clergy sexual abuse. In an open letter, SNAP blasted the College of Cardinals, claiming Leo’s rise exposed a deep-rooted culture of silence.
“Many who chose Leo shielded known abusers,” SNAP wrote. “And many who will join his leadership team carry the same dark legacy.”
According to SNAP, survivors and whistleblowers worldwide shared disturbing evidence. The group says Pope Francis knew about Leo’s alleged role in church cover-ups—yet allowed his election to move forward.
One case stands out. Back in 2000, when Leo led the Augustinians, he reportedly let Father James Ray—an accused predator—live at St. John Stone Friary in Chicago. That friary sat dangerously close to a Catholic elementary school.
Father Ray had been restricted from ministry since 1991 over child abuse allegations.
In 2021, the Chicago Sun-Times revealed church officials approved the move. They argued “no school was in the immediate area.” SNAP called that excuse unacceptable—and survivors agree.
Survivors now accuse Pope Leo XIV of doing even less behind the scenes. They claim he never launched a formal investigation into the abuse. Worse, they say he sent incomplete reports to Rome—and still allowed the accused priest to say Mass.
In March, before Pope Francis passed away, SNAP filed a formal complaint with Vatican officials. So far, no one has responded.
The complaint points to Leo’s time as bishop in Chiclayo, Peru. SNAP claims he ignored clear Vatican protocols on handling abuse allegations.
“As the Ordinary of the Diocese of Chiclayo,” the letter reads, “Cardinal Prevost failed to follow the investigation procedures set by the Holy See.”
SNAP also alleges that accused priests remained active in ministry—despite credible reports of abuse and during supposed preliminary investigations.
Now, SNAP is demanding real accountability.
The group is calling for a full investigation into Pope Leo XIV’s past handling of abuse cases—with every result made public. Survivors say the truth must come out.
They’re also urging the new pope to take “decisive action” in his first 100 days. Their demands include a strict zero-tolerance policy for clergy sexual abuse and the creation of a victim reparations fund—financed directly from church assets.
One survivor put it bluntly: “Staying silent is a sin. It’s not what God wants us to do. Jesus wants us to stop these things, not grow a healthy garden for abuse.”
Pope Leo XIV hadn’t even finished his first day before facing heat—not just for alleged abuse cover-ups, but for his online history.
Back in April, he shared a post on X from a Catholic commentator who criticized both Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. The post called them out for mocking the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident.
The link led to an article in the Catholic Standard, where Bishop Evelio Menjivar asked Catholics: “Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”
Another repost slammed Trump’s immigration rhetoric—especially his reference to undocumented immigrants as “bad hombres.”
Even Vice President JD Vance didn’t escape criticism. In February, Pope Leo’s account shared an article that challenged Vance’s take on Jesus’ teachings. The piece, titled “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” took direct aim at the senator’s interpretation of Catholic values.
