Pope Leo Urges New Bishops to Address Clerical Sexual Abuse Transparently

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo has directed the Catholic Church’s newest bishops to tackle cases of sexual abuse by clergy with openness and integrity, rather than conceal them, according to a Vatican statement released Friday.

The Church has been plagued by sexual abuse scandals worldwide over recent decades, severely undermining its moral authority, prompting costly legal battles, and leading to the resignation of high-ranking bishops.

During a private meeting with about 200 bishops appointed within the last year, Pope Leo emphasized that complaints "cannot be put in a drawer." He stressed that such issues must be addressed "with a sense of mercy and true justice, toward the victims and toward the accused," according to the Vatican’s summary.

Pope Leo, who was elected in May following the passing of Pope Francis, has previously urged priests to act "firmly and decisively" when confronting abuse.

Pope Francis, who led the 1.4-billion-member Church for 12 years, prioritized combating sexual abuse, though outcomes have been mixed.

In addition to addressing abuse, Pope Leo encouraged new bishops to embrace some of Francis’ broader vision by fostering a more welcoming Church that engages actively with contemporary society. He advocated for bishops to "renew their contact with the world in order to answer the questions the men and women of our time are asking." He noted that "ready-made answers learned 25 years ago in the seminary are not enough."

Pope Leo’s guidance signals a continued commitment to transparency in handling abuse allegations and an effort to adapt the Church’s approach to the evolving needs of its followers.