Pope Leo XIV declared that the Roman Catholic Church must not tolerate abuses and emphasized the importance of free journalism in the fight against them.

In his first public statements, Pope Leo XIV said that the Church must not tolerate any form of abuse, emphasizing the need for a culture of prevention. In a message to participants in a theatrical performance about clerical abuse, the Pope emphasized the essential role of a free press in the pursuit of justice. Although he received criticism from other bishops, he reaffirmed the Church's commitment to protecting victims of abuse and urged journalists to continue to investigate these scandals.