Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has stressed that protecting minors and vulnerable people is essential for the life and mission of the Catholic Church, calling on Church leaders and communities to build a culture that places care and safety at its centre.
Speaking on Monday at the Vatican to the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Pope thanked members of the commission for their work in helping the Church prevent abuse and support victims.
He said their mission is demanding and often carried out quietly, but remains vital for the credibility and renewal of the Church.
Pope explained that preventing abuse is not simply about following procedures or protocols. Instead, it requires forming a culture of care throughout the Church so that protecting children, adolescents and vulnerable people becomes a natural expression of Christian faith rather than an external obligation.
Pope Leo recalled that Pope Francis had placed the commission permanently within the Roman Curia in order to remind the entire Church that safeguarding is not optional but a fundamental part of its mission.
He said the Church must continue a path of conversion that listens carefully to the suffering of victims and survivors. According to Pope, their experiences, though painful to hear, reveal the truth and help the Church grow in humility.
Recognising the harm that has occurred, he added, is necessary to open a credible path toward hope and renewal.
Pope also encouraged the commission to continue working closely with the Roman Curia and to share its experience in order to strengthen the Church’s safeguarding efforts worldwide.
He highlighted the importance of the commission’s annual report, describing it as a valuable tool that promotes truth, responsibility and transparency within the Church. At the same time, he said the work must balance hope and prudence, ensuring that efforts to prevent abuse are serious and well considered.
Pope Leo also underlined that the responsibility for safeguarding cannot be delegated. Bishops and major superiors must personally ensure that protection measures are implemented in the communities entrusted to them.
He called for concrete actions in every Church institution and community so that victims are listened to and accompanied with compassion and support.
Pope also encouraged the commission to continue assisting local Churches, especially in places where resources and expertise are limited, so that no community feels alone in facing safeguarding challenges.
Looking ahead, Pope Leo said he expects the commission’s third annual report to highlight both the progress already made and the areas where further work is needed.
He also pointed to two growing areas of concern that the commission is studying more deeply: understanding vulnerability in cases of abuse and preventing abuse that occurs through digital technology and online platforms.
Pope welcomed the commission’s work on developing a universal guidelines framework for safeguarding across the Church. He said he looks forward to reviewing the final proposal before it is published.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV said the protection of minors and vulnerable people must not be seen as a separate task within the Church. Instead, he said safeguarding should shape every aspect of Church life, including pastoral care, formation, governance and discipline.