The Vatican Press Office announced that Pope Leon XIV will meet with survivors of clerical abuse during his upcoming twelve-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. The Holy See states these meetings aim to express closeness to those who suffered violence and to ensure the Church remains a safe spiritual environment. This follows similar closed-door dialogues the Pope held in Madrid and Lourdes earlier this year, where he emphasized the need for vigilance, justice, and healing. These encounters continue a tradition established by previous pontiffs to address the crisis within the Church.
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The dissolution of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana in Peru reveals how canon law was used to evade taxes. Reports indicate that Jesuit Gianfranco Ghirlanda and Archbishop Lluís Martínez Sistach provided legal opinions validating the group's tax-exempt status for its funeral business. This support allowed the organization to bypass Peruvian regulations for years. Later, Cardinal Joseph Tobin and Bishop Noel Londoño supervised the group but failed to conduct thorough financial audits or protect victims effectively. Their interventions ultimately delayed the Sodalicio's complete suppression, leaving victims to seek justice after the Vatican's final decision.
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Survivors of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana in Peru have issued a statement thanking Pope Francis for suppressing the group and appointing a commissioner for victim reparations. However, they also accuse former leaders and four Peruvian bishops of illegally privatizing church assets intended for compensation. The group demands transparency regarding financial operations involving the San Juan Bautista Civil Association and politician Rafael López Aliaga. They further criticize the continued presence of accused members in Lima parishes and the inclusion of journalist Fátima Saldonid in the papal press corps. The survivors insist on full accountability and the protection of victims' rights.
Survivors of the dissolved religious group Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana in Peru have requested a meeting with Pope Leo XIV during his upcoming trip to the country from November 11 to 16. In an open letter, 33 victims stated that the suppression process remains incomplete and that former members continue operating in the same locations. They expressed concern over the lack of justice and accountability, noting that the Church failed to prevent abuses over the past 26 years. The group seeks recognition and integral repair, citing UN orders for a truth commission and criticizing the judicial persecution of journalists who exposed the scandal. The Pope ordered the group's dissolution in January 2025.
The Archdiocese of Seville in Spain has stated it will not issue public statements regarding abuse allegations against former missions delegate Eduardo Martin Clemens. The decision follows a complaint from a young man, with the diocese citing canonical jurisdiction rules that place the investigation in Trujillo, Peru, where the alleged incidents occurred. While Clemens denies abuse, claiming the accuser sought financial gain, parishioners in Seville’s Santa Cruz district describe the timing of his resignation as suspicious. The silence from Archbishop José Ángel Sáiz Meneses’ office has drawn criticism, as experts note the local diocese could still take precautionary measures despite the location of the events.
Eduardo Martín Clemens, an 80-year-old priest from Seville, Spain, has resigned as parish priest of Santa Cruz and diocesan missions delegate. He faces accusations of abuse committed in Peru. Although he denies any aggression or violence, he admits to paying 80,000 euros to the accuser. Martín Clemens claims he is the victim of blackmail. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of clergy conduct in international missions and the financial settlements involved in such disputes.
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In Lima, Peru, female inmates at the Chorrillos prison are sewing dolls and crafting rosaries featuring Pope Leo XIV ahead of his apostolic journey from November 6 to 17. Silvia Alayo of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference explains that this work is part of the state’s “Cárceles Productivas” program, which aims to facilitate social reintegration through professional training. The initiative helps prisoners support their families while addressing severe overcrowding that affects 107,000 detainees nationwide. The Church supports these efforts as a means to uphold the right to work and provide spiritual accompaniment for those incarcerated primarily for drug-related offenses.
Sister María Antonieta García Carrizales, Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, told Vatican News that Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming apostolic journey to Peru will provide new spiritual impulses for the local Church. The visit, scheduled for November 6 to 17, also includes stops in Uruguay and Argentina. She stated that the Pope’s presence will help Peruvians rediscover Christ’s presence through unity and service. The religious leader emphasized that the trip aims to strengthen hope amid social and political challenges. She noted that preparations are underway across various dioceses to welcome the pontiff, who is recovering from surgery.
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During his visit to Peru, the Pope toured the Chorrillos women's prison in Lima on October 29, 2026. According to Vatican News, inmates there create velvet dolls depicting the Pope, along with rosaries and necklaces for sale. The initiative aims to support rehabilitation and social reintegration. The visit highlights efforts to provide hope and vocational skills to prisoners within the Peruvian justice system.
Peruvian military authorities are preparing the Las Palmas Air Base in the Surco district of Lima to host the closing mass of Pope Leo XIV on November 16. The Ministry of Defense and the Peruvian Air Force have completed 40 percent of the construction work on the seating areas. Organizers have allocated 70 hectares to accommodate over one million attendees. Strict security measures, including digital ticket verification and identity checks, will be enforced by the National Police. Medical support and logistical points have been coordinated with civil defense and health services to ensure safety for the large crowd expected at the event.
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The Vatican Press Office announced that Pope Leon XIV will meet with survivors of clerical abuse during his upcoming twelve-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. The Holy See states these meetings aim to express closeness to those who suffered violence and to ensure the Church remains a safe spiritual environment. This follows similar closed-door dialogues the Pope held in Madrid and Lourdes earlier this year, where he emphasized the need for vigilance, justice, and healing. These encounters continue a tradition established by previous pontiffs to address the crisis within the Church.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV will tour South America in November, starting in Uruguay, then Argentina, and ending in Peru from November 11 to 16. The visit holds special significance for Peru, where the Pope lived for over twenty years and obtained citizenship in 2015. During his Peruvian stop, he will visit Lima, Chiclayo, Cajamarca, Cusco, and Pucallpa. In Lambayeque, a massive mass is expected at the Pampas de Pimentel. Local tourism authorities have launched the 'Ruta de León' to promote religious and cultural sites linked to the Pope's past ministry, including churches in Callao and natural reserves like the Palomino Islands.
Adolfo, based in Lima, Peru, coordinates Bible translation projects and builds partnerships across South America. He reports that while over 40 indigenous languages are spoken in the country, ranging from Quechua in the Andes to various Amazonian tongues, many millions still lack the complete Bible in their native language. Recent gatherings allowed pastors and congregation members to gain new insights into marriage by studying the first chapters of Genesis. The initiative highlights the ongoing need to provide Scripture in local languages for these diverse communities, according to the report from Varlden idag.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 5 to 16. This journey marks his return to Peru, where he previously served as a priest and bishop and holds citizenship. The trip occurs shortly after his lung cancer surgery, though doctors have cleared him for travel. Local authorities in northern Peru are preparing for his arrival, recalling his past humanitarian work during floods and the pandemic. This visit comes as Catholic membership in Peru declines, with Pew Research data showing a drop from 76 to 67 percent over the last decade. The Pope’s itinerary remains unchanged despite recent health concerns.
According to Avvenire, devotion to Saint Jude Thaddeus is expanding globally, with significant growth in Uganda, Colombia, the Philippines, Peru, the United States, and Mexico. In a city in Uganda, a new sanctuary is being built, while a location in Colombia received a relic recently. The article highlights Mexico, where millions venerate the saint in various urban centers. A historian explains that this popularity addresses modern social precarity, attracting diverse social classes rather than just the poor. The trend reflects a widespread desire for spiritual support in desperate situations.
Children at the Santa María Josefa shelter in Ferreñafe, Peru, sent messages to Pope Leo XIV. The gesture was part of a solidarity initiative by Food For The Poor and Cáritas del Perú. On October 26, the organizations delivered educational kits and balls to the 40 children. The children, who are cared for by the Siervas de Jesús de la Caridad, wrote notes expressing love and well wishes. The Pope, formerly bishop of Chiclayo, is scheduled to visit the diocese on November 13 and 14. According to Cáritas, the event highlights the resilience and faith of children in adversity. The program aims to expand support for shelters across Peru.
Pope Leo XIV will visit Cuzco, Peru, on November 15 as part of his apostolic journey to Latin America running from November 6 to 17. The brief stop in the Andes mountains involves meeting with the faithful and representatives of popular piety before praying the Angelus. Father Walter Corsini, vicar general of the Missionary Servants of the Poor, discusses the region's cultural richness and the challenges of poverty. He notes that the visit aims to strengthen Catholic roots among locals, many of whom attend Protestant groups, while highlighting the need to respect local traditions and language.
The Holy See confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. This upcoming apostolic journey marks a significant return for Robert Francis Prevost, who served as a missionary and bishop in Peru during previous papal visits by John Paul II and Francis. The trip revisits a nation deeply marked by internal conflict, economic crises, and social fractures. Prevost expressed joy at returning to the continent where he lived many life moments, aiming to strengthen communion and renew the commitment to announce the Gospel with joy.
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