Activists call on Pope to expel abusers ahead of Latin America tour

On Thursday, activists convened in Lima to urge Pope Leo XIV to expel sexual abusers from the Catholic Church, as he prepares for his upcoming tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The US-based Bishop Accountability nonprofit revealed a roster of 77 clergy members who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing minors in Peru. Despite Pope Leo XIV's announcement that he will meet with abuse victims during his Latin America tour, the Vatican has yet to provide details on their plans.

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishop Accountability, implored the pontiff to institute a policy of zero tolerance for those found guilty of sexual abuse, and to permanently remove not only the guilty parties but also those who covered up the abuse. Jose Escardo, president of the Survivors Network of Abuse in Peru, emphasized the necessity of such a policy, stating that perpetrators must be handed over to the civil justice system and face judgment from both the Church and the state.

Among the alleged abusers listed by Bishop Accountability is conservative cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, a 56-year-old individual who was among the victims of a conservative group that Pope Francis disbanded in 2025 following a seven-year investigation.