Pope meets abuse victims in Peru, says Church must make ‘amends’

LIMA: On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV met six victims of clerical abuse in Peru, including some associated with the now-defunct Catholic society, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. The US-born pontiff, who previously served as a missionary and bishop in the nation, is returning to Peru, his homeland, to tackle the abuse scandal. Over an hour, he listened to each victim's story, acknowledged their suffering, and thanked them for their testimony.

SCV, a lay organization founded in the 1970s, was disbanded in 2025 following allegations of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, as well as corruption. In a speech earlier, Leo emphasized the Church's responsibility to make amends and prevent future abuse. Renzo Orbegozo, a 50-year-old SCV victim, expressed the need for comprehensive reparation, including psychological, medical, and social support.

The Vatican has announced plans to establish a listening channel in Lima and use assets seized from SCV to compensate victims. During his three-nation Latin American tour, Pope Leo has addressed sensitive political and social issues, including machismo attitudes and violence against women. Despite undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the 71-year-old Pope has no signs of fatigue and will continue his journey through Peru, visiting various regions including the Amazon and the high Andes.