Vatican City: As the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors convened with Pope Leo XIV for the first time, Cardinal Seán O’Malley emphasized that the Church’s unwavering priority is to place victims and their families at the forefront of its mission. Speaking to Vatican News, the Cardinal reiterated that despite changes in leadership, the core commitment remains the same: compassion, transparency, and accountability.

Cardinal O’Malley, a longtime leader in the Church’s efforts against abuse and the Commission’s founding president, stressed the enduring importance of maintaining victim-centered approaches in every safeguarding policy. “Our mandate has not shifted. The Church must be a refuge for the vulnerable—and that means putting survivors first,” he said.

The Commission’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV on Thursday marked a moment of renewed determination. The session, which lasted an hour, was described by the Commission as a time of "reflection, dialogue, and recommitment" to the Church’s global mission of safeguarding minors and vulnerable persons. In a public statement, the body acknowledged its roots in Pope Francis’ Praedicate Evangelium, emphasizing its role in advising the papacy and guiding the Church toward systemic reform and compassionate outreach.

In the interview, Cardinal O’Malley pointed to several advancements in the Commission’s work: from drafting global safeguarding standards and supporting diocesan training, to crafting the Church’s first annual safeguarding reports. These reports, he noted, aim to present both achievements and failures with transparency.

“Transparency, accountability, and education must be the pillars of our approach,” he affirmed. “We can only fulfill our Gospel mission if people believe we genuinely care—about them, their children, and their safety.”

Cardinal O’Malley explained the evolution of the Commission, now integrated into the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which has opened new channels for collaboration within the Vatican. This shift, he said, has brought greater credibility and access, especially after earlier periods when the Commission was perceived as too independent or external.

In addition to advising the Pope, the Commission has recently intensified its presence in ad limina visits—regular encounters between national bishops' conferences and the Holy See. These meetings, he said, have helped ensure that safeguarding is integrated into each local Church’s five-year progress report. “It’s been deeply encouraging to see bishops engage with sincerity, often seeking guidance in places where resources are scarce or awareness is still developing,” the Cardinal remarked.

One of the Commission’s notable recent initiatives is the creation of Memorare centers in under-resourced countries—training hubs supported by international donors to help local Churches develop safeguarding protocols, handle abuse reports, and support survivors.

Looking ahead, Cardinal O’Malley previewed the upcoming 2024 Annual Report, which is set to focus on reparations and restorative justice. Based on consultations with bishops from 22 countries and two religious congregations, the report will assess global safeguarding performance—acknowledging areas of success and exposing persistent gaps.

On the broader cultural shift within the Church, Cardinal O’Malley acknowledged the critical role of media—both secular and Catholic—in uncovering abuse scandals, often in the face of defensive denial from within. “The press was essential in bringing the truth to light, even when it was uncomfortable,” he said. “At times, Catholics resisted—thinking it was just anti-Church sentiment. But the words and actions of the Popes, from John Paul II to Benedict XVI and Francis, gradually turned the tide toward acceptance, sorrow, and reform.”

He added that while abuse is a widespread societal crisis, its presence in the Church causes a uniquely painful betrayal. “When harm is inflicted by someone in whom people have placed spiritual trust, it wounds not only the body but the soul. The damage cuts deeper.”

In closing, Cardinal O’Malley expressed his deep personal gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Commission through its formative years. “It’s been an immense honor to work with such courageous survivors and dedicated staff. I thank Pope Francis for entrusting us with this responsibility, and I look forward with hope to our continued journey alongside Pope Leo XIV.”