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Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

Speaking to over 400 bishops from 38 countries on June 25, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of pastoral prudence, poverty, and synodality in the ministry of a bishop. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Appoints New President to Lead Vatican’s Child Safeguarding Commission

Jul 5, 2025

The prelate succeeds U.S.-born Cardinal Seán O’Malley, 81, the founding president of the safeguarding commission established by Pope Francis in 2014. 

Auxiliary Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera is secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. / Credit: “EWTN Noticias”/Screenshot

"Harming a victim is harming the image of God": Vatican Secretary for Protection of Minors

Jun 23, 2025

Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera contends that instead of a single reparative action, victims of abuse require “an in-depth process that listens to, welcomes, and accompanies.”

Pope Francis meets with members of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) on March 23, 2023. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican, Catholic Leaders from Europe Discuss Sexual Abuse in the Church

Nov 13, 2024

The Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is hosting a conference on safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Europe from Nov. 13–15.

Pope Francis joines the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in prayer at the Vatican on March 7, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Publishes First Report on Church Safeguarding Efforts Worldwide

Oct 29, 2024

The 50-page report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is the first in an annual series that aims to provide analysis of safeguarding measures.

Pope Francis joines the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in prayer at the Vatican on March 7, 2024. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis to Clergy Abuse Commission: "Our commitment must not wane"

Mar 7, 2024

“I encourage you to move forward so that the Church will be, always and everywhere, a place where everyone can feel at home,” Pope Francis said. 

Fr. Andrew Small, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors addressing participants during the convention of stakeholders of the Catholic Care for Children International (CCCI) in the region of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Nairobi on 16 May 2023. Credit: Courtesy Photo

“Not a new moral requirement”: Vatican Official on Safeguarding Children in Eastern Africa

May 17, 2023

The moral requirement to safeguard children is not new, the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has said. 

Pope Francis meets with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in an audience May 5, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Invites Child Protection Group to have "a spirituality of reparation"

May 5, 2023

Pope Francis invited the Vatican’s child protection commission to have “a spirituality of reparation” toward victims of clergy sexual abuse and to examine where the Church has committed “sins of omission” in this area.

Pope Francis meets members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors at the Vatican, April 29, 2022. Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Asks for Annual Report on Church’s Efforts to Prevent Abuse

Apr 29, 2022

The pontiff was addressing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

null. alphaspirit via Shutterstock.com.

Pope Francis Wants Seminarians to Read This Letter from a Clerical Abuse Survivor

Oct 20, 2021

The letter urges them to ‘Please be a good priest.’