Pope Leo XIV has urged the Catholic Church in Italy to strengthen its protection of children and vulnerable adults, telling bishops gathered for a national safeguarding meeting on April 16, 2026, that the presence of the most vulnerable “challenges the conscience of the Church” and demands renewed commitment as a matter of priority.
The Holy Father delivered the message to participants at a national conference on safeguarding organised by the Italian bishops’ conference, emphasising the moral and pastoral responsibility of Catholic communities to protect minors and respond to abuse with transparency and compassion. The message, reported by Vatican News, was formally signed and delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
