NewsWPLG Local 10November 13, 2026Miami-Dade County
Pope Leo XIV meets with youth, abuse victims, and addresses social issues during Peru visit
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Pope Leo XIV met with clergy and youth in Lima during his second day in Peru, held a private meeting with six victims of clerical abuse, and spoke publicly against machismo, discrimination, and economic inequality. Victims of the dissolved Sodalicio group and advocates called for concrete legal sanctions and accountability from the Catholic Church.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The visit highlights ongoing public and institutional pressure regarding clerical abuse accountability in Peru, alongside official recognition of social challenges including 154 recorded femicides in 2024 and a 25.7% national poverty rate in 2025.
Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV met with six victims of clerical abuse during a private meeting at the Nunciatura in Lima.
- The pope participated in a youth prayer vigil at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, which has a capacity of about 47,161.
- The Vatican dissolved the Sodalicio Catholic group in 2025 following a mission appointed by Pope Francisco to investigate abuse allegations.
- A Vatican-sent commission in Peru reported receiving more than 100 denunciations of suspected abuses.
- The digital database BishopAccountability has identified 77 priests, religious figures, seminarists, and consecrated laity in Peru publicly accused of sexually abusing minors.
- Peru registered 154 feminicidios in 2024 according to official data cited in the article.
- Official figures indicate that poverty affected 30.4% of households with Quechua-speaking or Aymara-speaking heads in 2025.
- Overall poverty affected 25.7% of the Peruvian population in 2025 according to official figures.
- Activist José Escardó stated he has campaigned against clerical abuse for 26 years and criticized the Church for not sending abuse information to civil and penal justice authorities.
Who's Mentioned
PersonEmily Milagros“Catechist who spoke with the pope during the youth vigil.”locationLima“Capital city of Peru where the papal events took place.”locationPerú“Country hosting the papal visit.”PersonPaola Ugaz“Co-author of the 2015 book exposing abuse.”PersonLuis Figari“Founder of Sodalicio accused of abuse by former members.”locationChiclayo“Peruvian city where Robert Prevost previously served as bishop.”PersonFrancisco“Former pope who investigated Sodalicio and decided to dissolve it.”PersonÁngel Esquives“Artisan from Chiclayo living in Lima who attended the papal welcome.”OrganizationSodalicio“Dissolved Catholic group that faced accusations of sexual and psychological abus”PersonJosé Escardó“Peruvian victim campaigning against clerical abuse for 26 years.”PersonPedro Salinas“Journalist who published a book in 2015 regarding abuse allegations.”PersonOfelia Marín“Worker in a harassment awareness program.”locationCosta Rica“Country of origin for some flags displayed at the event.”PersonLeón XIV“Pope visiting Peru and meeting with youth, bishops, and abuse victims.”PersonRobert Prevost“Bishop and former bishop of Chiclayo.”locationMéxico“Country of origin for some flags displayed at the event.”PersonZózimo Pérez“Attendee at the Plaza Mayor wearing a self-designed costume.”locationChile“Country of origin for some flags displayed at the event.”