Vatican City: In a resounding call for ecclesial reform and social justice, Pope Leo XIV has urged the Catholic Church to cultivate a "zero tolerance" culture against all forms of abuse, while simultaneously championing the irreplaceable role of fearless journalism in defending truth and justice.
The Pope’s powerful message was delivered during a special theatrical performance of Proyecto Ugaz in Lima, Peru a tribute to investigative journalist Paola Ugaz, known for her relentless reporting on the now-defunct Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a controversial lay organization dismantled by the Vatican for widespread abuse and corruption.
Through his message, read publicly by Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Leo condemned not just sexual abuse, but all abuses of power, conscience, and authority. “The Church must be a sanctuary of protection not silence,” he stated. “We must root out any tolerance of abuse and embed a culture of prevention at every level.”
Praising the bold work of Ugaz and her colleagues, the Pope emphasized that investigative journalism plays a crucial role in upholding the democratic and moral fabric of society. “Silencing journalists is not only an attack on press freedom it undermines the very soul of democracy and contradicts the Gospel’s demand for truth,” the Pontiff declared.
Pope Leo expressed deep admiration for the creators of Proyecto Ugaz, calling it “an act of memory, protest, and justice” that gives voice to victims long shunned by power structures. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Paola Ugaz, Pedro Salinas, and other journalists who risked their safety to expose hidden injustices. “Your pursuit of truth is a reflection of a wounded, yet hopeful Church,” he said.
Drawing parallels with Pope Francis’s 2018 “Letter to the People of God,” Pope Leo XIV reinforced the Church’s obligation to walk a path of humility and reparation. “True reform is not an idea it is action rooted in compassion, accountability, and healing,” he affirmed.
Recalling his recent meeting with Ugaz and other reporters after his election, the Pope shared a symbolic gesture: Ugaz had draped a traditional chalina (Andean scarf) around his shoulders a moment he described as a public embrace of truth-telling in the face of adversity.
In his closing remarks, Pope Leo addressed the people of Peru directly. “In these times of institutional unrest and social upheaval, supporting ethical and courageous journalism is not an option it is a democratic imperative,” he urged. “From local broadcasters to national newsrooms, every voice that stands for truth strengthens our shared dignity.”
His final message to Peruvian media professionals was both pastoral and prophetic: “Do not fear. Through your work, you carry the light into the shadows. Be artisans of peace and instruments of hope.”
In an era marked by painful reckonings within the Church, Pope Leo XIV’s message offers a clear mandate: to build a community that values truth, protects the vulnerable, and empowers those who dare to speak up.