NewsWPLG Local 10October 27, 2026Miami-Dade County
Victims of dissolved Sodalicio group request meeting with Pope Leo XIV during Peru visit
Photo: WPLG Local 10
More than 30 victims of the dissolved Catholic group Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV requesting a meeting during his upcoming November visit to Peru. The survivors delivered the letter to the Vatican diplomatic headquarters in Lima after expressing frustration with the local hierarchy's silence on the abuse scandals.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The request places direct pressure on the Vatican leadership to address ongoing demands for justice, financial reparation, and transparency regarding abuse scandals involving a prominent religious organization.
Key Facts
- More than 30 victims of the dissolved Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana group delivered a letter to the Vatican diplomatic headquarters in Lima requesting a meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
- Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Peru is scheduled between November 11 and 16 as part of his first South American tour.
- The letter states that an encounter with victims would serve as a sign of closeness, recognition, and commitment to truth, justice, and reparation.
- Enrique Escardó, the first denunciant of Sodalicio abuses, criticized local church authorities including the apostolic nuncio and the Peruvian Episcopal Conference for remaining silent on the case.
- Pope Francisco previously dissolved Sodalicio following an investigation that revealed sexual abuses by founder Luis Fernando Figari, spiritual abuses, and financial mismanagement.
- Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, previously served as a bishop in Peru and was noted by victims as one of the few local church leaders who listened to and supported them.
- In May, a Vatican commission visited Peru to collect testimonies from Sodalicio victims, and commissary Jordi Bertomeu announced the transfer of case information to US justice authorities.
Who's Mentioned
locationPerú“Country scheduled to be visited by the Pope”locationArgentina“Country included in the papal tour”PersonPaolo Rocco Gualteri“Apostolic nuncio in Lima”OrganizationConferencia Episcopal de Perú“Peruvian bishops' conference criticized for its silence”locationRoma“Destination where the letter was directed”locationUruguay“Country included in the papal tour”locationPucallpa“City in Peru scheduled to be visited by the Pope”PersonPaola Ugaz“Peruvian journalist who co-authored the book on Sodalicio”locationChiclayo“City in Peru scheduled to be visited by the Pope”PersonFrancisco“Former pope who ordered an investigation and dissolved Sodalicio”locationLIMA“City where the letter was delivered to the Vatican diplomatic headquarters”locationCusco“Catholic city scheduled to be visited by the Pope”locationSudamerica“Region included in the papal tour”PersonPedro Salinas“Peruvian journalist who co-authored the book on Sodalicio”PersonEnrique Escardó“First denunciant of Sodalicio abuses and survivor network president”OrganizationSodalicio de Vida Cristiana“Dissolved Catholic group linked to abuse scandals”PersonLeón XIV“Pope requested for a meeting by Sodalicio victims”PersonRobert Prevost“American bishop in Peru who became Pope Leo XIV”PersonJordi Bertomeu“Commissary of the dissolution of Sodalicio”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News agency reporting on the letter and statements”OrganizationArzobispado de Lima“Archdiocese of Lima”locationSanta Cruz de Succhabamba“Town in Peru scheduled to be visited by the Pope”PersonJuan Bytton“Secretary for the apostolic visit of the Archdiocese of Lima”PersonLuis Fernando Figari“Founder of Sodalicio and perpetrator of sexual abuses”