Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has said that protecting minors and vulnerable people is not just a responsibility but a deep moral test for the Church, urging communities to show real care through their actions.
In a message sent to a national meeting organized by the Italian Bishops Conference, Pope said the presence of the smallest and most vulnerable challenges the conscience of the Church and shows whether it truly lives out its mission of care and protection.
The message, signed by Pietro Parolin, focused on the theme of building authentic relationships. Pope explained that every person must be respected in their dignity and freedom, and that Christian communities should be places where people feel safe, supported, and protected.
He warned that when respect is missing, relationships can become weak and harmful. True respect, he said, is not just about being polite but about caring for others in a way that does not control or humiliate them. It means walking with people, not dominating them, and serving them with humility.
Pope stressed that safeguarding cannot be reduced to rules or procedures alone. Instead, it requires wisdom, proper formation of leaders and educators, and a culture of transparency and vigilance in all Church settings.
He also called for special attention to victims of abuse, saying their suffering demands closeness, careful listening, and a sincere effort to seek justice and healing. The Church, he noted, must not ignore or hide such pain but face it honestly.
According to Pope, true renewal in the Church comes when it accepts difficult paths of truth and justice, rather than avoiding them out of fear or concern for reputation.
He encouraged those working in safeguarding ministries to continue their efforts with confidence, so that Church communities become places where the most vulnerable are welcomed, protected, and loved.