Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV convened a significant meeting on Thursday morning with members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, a body central to the Church’s mission of safeguarding children and vulnerable persons. The gathering took place within the Vatican and underscored the continuing importance the Holy See places on preventing abuse and ensuring justice within ecclesiastical structures.
The Commission, originally established by Pope Francis in the early years of his pontificate, had been integrated into the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith during the reform of the Roman Curia. Despite this administrative incorporation, Pope Francis emphasized the body’s autonomous mandate, instructing its members to maintain independent operations and report directly to him.
Echoing this vision, Pope Leo XIV called upon the Commission to sustain its open and direct line of communication with him. He stressed the critical nature of their work and insisted on full transparency and accountability in all measures taken to shield minors and vulnerable groups from harm.
The Catholic Church has undertaken a series of reforms to address sexual abuse within its ranks, from revising canon law to implementing protocols that demand mandatory reporting to civil authorities in certain regions. In addition, diocesan and national safeguarding guidelines have increasingly become the norm across the global Church. However, the Commission candidly acknowledged that substantial gaps still remain and that a more robust, coordinated response is essential.
As part of Pope Francis’ commitment to accountability, the Commission had been tasked in April 2022 with producing an annual report that would reflect the Church’s current safeguarding status and expose areas needing reform. The most recent Annual Report—covering the entirety of 2023—was formally submitted on October 29, 2024.
The comprehensive report is divided into four sections: the current safeguarding conditions in different continents and local churches; an evaluation of how the Roman Curia is implementing protective measures; ways the Church is helping civil society enhance protection frameworks; and the Commission’s role in fostering accountability and transparency.
Pope Leo XIV’s latest audience with the Commission signals a continuity of the Church’s resolve to confront abuse without evasion and to uphold its moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. His insistence on direct engagement with the Commission reflects a papacy that seeks reform not merely in doctrine but in pastoral integrity.