Pope Leo XIV Advocates for Press Freedom
Pope Leo XIV spoke out on Saturday in favor of press freedom, urging journalists not to tolerate any form of abuse within the Catholic Church.
“Where journalists are silent, the democratic soul of the nation is weakened,” he stated.
These comments were delivered during theatre performances, showcasing the work of Proyecto Ugaz. The play focuses on the life of Paola Ugaz, a prominent journalist recognized for her reporting on issues surrounding Sordartium in Christian communities.
Ugaz’s investigative reports have implicated a group of elite Catholics in Peru in years of sexual and physical abuse, prompting actions from local law enforcement and investigations that led to the disbandment of the group by the Vatican.
After Ugaz and her co-author Pedro Salinas released testimonies from victims in 2015, Ugaz encountered severe legal and online harassment. She sought assistance from Pope Francis and personally met with him in December 2015, seeking protection for herself and three other journalists.
Pope Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru, collaborated closely with Pope Francis in efforts to address the abuses within the group.
He has called for the establishment of a preventive culture within the Church to eliminate all forms of abuse—sexual, physical, and mental. To achieve this, he stressed the importance of listening to victims and for journalists to uncover the truth.
His remarks were described as reflecting both the Church’s pain and hope, alongside the victims of Sordartium and the journalists who have shown courage and dedication to the truth.
“The pursuit of justice is also a battle for the Church. A faith that neglects the wounds of the body and soul fails to truly grasp the gospel,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he underscored the essential role of independent journalism in society.
“In this time of profound institutional and social challenges, defending ethical journalism is not just a matter of justice; it’s a duty for anyone striving for a robust and participatory democracy,” he emphasized.
Sexual abuse remains a persistent issue within the Catholic Church. While Pope Francis has begun to address the topic and dismantle the accompanying taboos, victims are calling for more recognition and stricter actions from Pope Leo, such as implementing a Zero Tolerance Policy.
Pope Leo has made it clear that advocating for a free press is a cause he is committed to championing.
On May 12, he called for the release of journalists unjustly detained across the globe, reaffirming the importance of freedom of speech and the press.
