The Vatican Press Office reported that on the afternoon of November 12, Pope Leo XIV met with six abuse survivors at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lima, Peru. The meeting occurred shortly after 4:30 PM. The individuals had suffered abuse by clergy or church institutions, some linked to the Sodalitium of Christian Life. The Pope listened to their stories and discussed fostering change through listening, truth-seeking, healing, and creating safe environments. He thanked them for their testimony, expressed closeness to all victims, and gave his blessing. The encounter lasted over an hour.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 23 outlets
Pope Leo XIV visited Lima, Peru, on Thursday, November 12, to address violence against women and girls. He first urged Peruvian bishops to handle internal church abuses with truth and justice. Speaking at the Plaza Mayor, he then condemned a macho mentality and called for the protection of young girls. This sequence aimed to establish credibility before addressing societal issues. According to the article, Peru's Ministry of Women recorded over 13,000 rape cases in 2025, with six out of ten victims being minors.
Pope Leo met with six sexual abuse survivors in Lima, Peru, on Thursday during his ongoing South American tour. The Vatican stated the discussion focused on improving how the Church listens to victims and fostering healing. This was the second such meeting during his trip, which also included stops in Uruguay and Argentina. One survivor, Camila Bustamante, described the encounter as a significant milestone, though she noted that closure remains difficult for many. The Pope, a former missionary in Peru, previously helped dissolve a controversial religious community linked to abuse allegations. Critics have questioned the inclusivity of recent papal meetings with survivors.
Pope Leo XIV is currently visiting Peru, with extensive coverage by Willax Televisión on November 12, 2026. The Pontiff met with civil society and Peruvian bishops in Lima, where the mayor presented him with the city keys. He also addressed family values in the Plaza de Armas, stating that gender does not justify unequal domestic duties. Meanwhile, residents in Chiclayo celebrated his arrival, and foreign tourists flocked to the country for the event. The broadcast included interviews with the Pope’s biographer and the founder of a Tarapoto project, highlighting the significance of this papal tour for the nation.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV visited Peru on Thursday to address bishops, demanding truth, justice, and reparation for sexual abuse committed by clergy. The pontiff, recently treated for lung cancer, is concluding a South American tour. The focus is on the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, dissolved in 2025 after admitting abuse of minors and adults. Victims, including Renzo Orbegozo, seek comprehensive compensation and psychological support. Additionally, Bishop Accountability presented a list of 77 accused religious figures in Lima, urging a zero-tolerance policy. The Vatican has established a listening channel in Lima to manage indemnifications using seized assets from the disbanded group.
Pope Leo XIV returned to Peru on Wednesday for a visit to Lima, the country where he previously served as a missionary and bishop for twenty years. During three addresses delivered in a single morning, he called the Catholic Church to account for clerical abuse and denounced what he described as a persistent machista mentality. He urged the faithful not to surrender to poverty, addiction, or domestic violence. Approximately 40,000 people attended his address at the Plaza Mayor, while three million lined the streets the previous day to greet him. The Pope spoke inside Lima’s cathedral, which holds the tomb of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo.
Pope Leo XIV met with bishops in Lima, Peru, on November 12, urging the Church to confront clerical abuse through truth, justice, and prevention. The Pontiff emphasized the need for a culture of protection for the vulnerable, referencing local saints as examples of humility. This address follows the 2025 suppression of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, an organization marked by severe abuse allegations. Before his election, Robert Francis Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo and worked on child protection. The Pope also met with survivors in Buenos Aires to listen to their stories and ensure the Church remains a safe space for all.
Military chaplains are offering crucial spiritual and emotional support to Ukrainian soldiers facing exhaustion and fear on the front lines. Mikhail Pavenko, an American-Ukrainian chaplain from Washington, recently completed his tenth rotation in Ukraine after traveling through Poland. He describes the extreme danger posed by Russian FPV drones and artillery, recounting a narrow escape in the Zaporizhzhia region. According to Oleksandr Vovkotecha, head of the Ukrainian military chaplaincy service, these volunteers provide a confidential space for soldiers to process trauma. Despite a shortage of personnel, chaplains like Denis Gorenkov emphasize listening and presence as vital tools for maintaining morale during the ongoing conflict.
Pope Leo XIV met with bishops in Lima, Peru, on Thursday to address sexual abuse by clergy. He urged the Church to prioritize truth, justice, and victim support while preventing future crimes. According to AFP and TASR, the Pope emphasized protecting the vulnerable. BishopAccountability reports 77 public accusations in Peru, though actual numbers may be higher. The Pope, a former missionary in the region, is expected to meet victims. A protest by survivors is also planned. Vatican News reports he called for unity, dialogue, and closer ties with marginalized communities, citing local saints as examples of service.
Members of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in Accra, Ghana, have issued a statement demanding swift investigations into child sexual abuse. They assert that such acts are crimes requiring legal accountability, not merely internal disciplinary matters. The group urges authorities to investigate all reports professionally, regardless of the accused's status. They call for stronger child protection in schools and homes, accessible reporting mechanisms, and support for survivors. The council also highlighted the vulnerability of boys and emphasized that protecting children is a shared national responsibility requiring legislative and institutional oversight.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 2 outlets
Pope Leo XIV arrived at Lima's Main Square in Peru, where he was received by Mayor Renzo Reggiardo. According to Agencia de Noticias Andina, the pontiff received the Key to the City and a Peruvian jersey. He also visited the Lima Cathedral, urging dialogue and reconciliation. The Pope called for truth and reparations regarding abuses committed by clergy members. Additionally, he paid homage to the Lord of Miracles and delivered a message of hope for families facing difficult times. The visit took place on November 13, highlighting the Church's outreach to all people.
Pope Leo XIV urged the Catholic Church in Peru to address clerical abuse through truth, justice, and reparations during a meeting with bishops in Lima. He also met individually with six victims at the Apostolic Nunciature in Jesus María. Among them was Camila Bustamante, who reported the Pope’s shock at the cruelty of the abuses. However, José Enrique Escardó, a key whistleblower, criticized the secrecy surrounding the meetings and claimed he was excluded. He argued that the Church must treat abuse as a crime and ensure all survivors are heard and supported in their pursuit of justice.
A large fire destroyed approximately 60 homes in the Javid shantytown of Barahona, Dominican Republic, on the night of November 11. The blaze, fueled by wooden and zinc structures, left dozens of families homeless, including over 60 children. Authorities reported no casualties. Governor Oneida Féliz stated that President Luis Abinader ordered provisional housing rentals and immediate aid. Mayor Mictor Fernández announced that municipal services are providing food and psychological support to affected residents. Community leaders estimate the final number of damaged structures, while families sought refuge in relatives' homes and local churches.
Catholic priests in a major archdiocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo have condemned repeated attacks on religious communities in a specific province. A presbyteral council issued a statement demanding stronger security and thorough investigations. The appeal was read during the funeral of a local priest. The council stated that security is a right for all citizens, not a privilege for clergy. They described bandits storming religious houses with weapons and machetes. The group urged authorities to identify perpetrators and stop evading nighttime checks. They emphasized that these attacks threaten social stability and require immediate state protection.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to Christianity Today, as cited by RISU, over 400 full-time military chaplains serve in Ukraine's armed forces, alongside approximately 700 volunteers. This number remains about 40% below the level needed for adequate spiritual care for the estimated 800,000 soldiers. Oleksandr Vovkotecha, head of the Chaplaincy Service, emphasizes the importance of constant presence and confidential support for troops facing moral exhaustion. American-born volunteer chaplain Mykhailo Pavenko highlights the challenges of frontline ministry and the opportunity for churches to demonstrate faith through practical aid during the ongoing war.
In Ukraine, children and families are adapting to life during the ongoing conflict. Instead of long-term plans, people live day by day, focusing on survival essentials as prices for food, medicine, and fuel rise. The constant threat of missile and drone attacks causes severe mental and physical exhaustion. Residents hide in cellars rather than sleeping in comfortable beds. The article highlights the deep transformation of Ukrainian society, where joyous events are postponed indefinitely. This situation reflects the widespread 'syndrome of postponed life' experienced by those enduring the war's devastation.
In Darb es-Sim, near Sidon, Lebanon, Saint Elie school continues operating despite daily bombings that begin around 2 p.m. Father Eida Bou Rached reports that children attend classes after sleepless nights caused by aircraft and drones. Since the start of the school year, 46 displaced students, including orphans, have joined. The institution provides psychological support and music therapy to help students cope with trauma. Christian and Muslim families demonstrate solidarity, with Muslims contributing to a new chapel project. The school serves as a refuge where interfaith brotherhood persists despite the ongoing conflict.
Following magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes in Venezuela, the strongest in over a century, Christian organizations have launched emergency responses. The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and suspended non-essential activities. World Vision activated its emergency team to assess damage, prioritizing children's safety, shelter, and water access. Staff member Maria Andreina Pernalete described severe impacts in Caracas, particularly in Sebucan. Meanwhile, Alianza Solidaria initiated a fundraising campaign to support victims, citing its long-standing presence in cities like Maracaibo and Caracas. The outlet reports that many families are in extreme vulnerability, with hospitals overwhelmed and buildings collapsed.
Caritas Makeni and the International Organization for Migration have signed a cooperation agreement in Sierra Leone to support the reintegration of returning migrants. The partnership, established in early November, focuses on providing psychological assistance, social support, and awareness-raising on irregular migration. According to IOM figures, over 10,000 Sierra Leoneans have been assisted with voluntary returns since 2017. Many returnees face significant challenges, including debt to smugglers, family rejection, and social stigma. The initiative aims to help vulnerable populations, particularly women, overcome trauma and economic barriers to rebuild their lives in northern Sierra Leone.
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