Pope Leo XIV’s First Mass Amid Controversy
Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, conducted his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025, amidst serious allegations of mishandling child sex abuse cases. Survivors’ group SNAP accused him of failing to act on abuse allegations during his tenure in Chicago and Peru, where he allegedly allowed known abuser priests to remain in ministry. SNAP urged the new pope to implement a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse within his first 100 days, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and reform in the Church.
