Pope Leo denounces machismo and violence against women in Peru
He also told Peruvian bishops to answer clergy abuse victims with truth and justice, and the Vatican says he met six victims.
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced widespread "machismo" and violence against women in Peru. He spoke to a crowd in Lima's Plaza Mayor, 40,000 people by the AP's account. He said the violence goes against the Christian teaching that men and women share equal dignity.
He observed that poor, Indigenous and Afro-Peruvian women suffer a double penalty and urged that all women be valued, protected and respected. According to Peru's national statistics institute, the country logged 1,261 femicide victims from 2016 through 2024, and the number of women killed because of their gender climbed 44% over that period. Leo also instructed Peruvian bishops to answer victims of sexual abuse by clergy with truth and justice.
The Independent reports that the Vatican said he later met six victims for an hour, among them former members of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae movement. José Escardó, the movement's first , said outside the house where Leo is staying that the church's rhetoric has been empty on punishing clergymen who commit crimes. BishopAccountability, an online database, counts 77 priests, brothers, seminarians and lay consecrated people in Peru accused publicly of abusing minors, calling this a "small fraction" of the total.
Leo, 71, is in Peru following lung cancer surgery. He spent two decades there as a missionary priest and bishop.
- 40,000people in Lima's Plaza Mayor, per the AP reportThe Seattle Times
- 1,261femicide victims in Peru, 2016 to 2024, per the national statistics instituteThe Seattle Times
- 44%rise in women killed for their gender in that periodThe Seattle Times
- 77priests, brothers, seminarians and lay consecrated people in Peru publicly accused of abusing minors, identified by BishopAccountabilityThe Seattle Times
- sixabuse victims Leo met for an hour, per the VaticanThe Independent
Three sides of the story
Liberal3 outlets
Pope's call to protect women, hear abuse victims
The Independent leads with the Pope's demand for an end to violence against women, under a headline quoting him: "It wounds all of humanity." It adds a second thread on clergy abuse. The Vatican said Leo met six victims for an hour, including former members of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae.
José Escardó, the movement's first whistleblower, says the church's rhetoric has been empty on punishing clergymen who commit crimes. The Boston Globe runs a wire report. It opens with Leo denouncing "machismo" after his "emotional homecoming" and shows a relaxed pope singing along with 40,000 people in the plaza.
It quotes Ángel Esquives, a craftsman from Leo's former diocese. CBS News reports that Leo gave an emotional speech denouncing "machismo" and urging followers to "value women." Its headline adds "respect girls," and it says Leo spoke of learning "what it means to be a shepherd" in Peru.
Center1 outlet
The Peruvian pope's homecoming and his orders to the church
The Seattle Times runs the AP report. It opens with Leo denouncing widespread "machismo" and violence against women as he set out "marching orders" for the Peruvian church and people. The report follows the homecoming mood: a pope "positively overjoyed" to be home, singing "Contigo Perú" with 40,000 people in the plaza.
It quotes Ángel Esquives, who left home at 3 a.m. to get close, and Nicole Cruz, who says femicides are still rising or "at least they're receiving more attention." It gives Peru's femicide figures and BishopAccountability's count of 77 accused people. It says a victims group planned a protest later Thursday.
Cardinal Pedro Barreto and the Rev. Peter Hughes, an Irish priest in Peru for over 60 years, speak about Leo's ties to the country and its needs.
Conservative0 outlets
Outlets on the right gave this story little coverage.
- Centrist outlets did not mentionThe Vatican said Leo met six abuse victims for an hour, including former Sodalitium members. Reported by The Independent
- Liberal outlets did not mentionA victims group planned a protest later Thursday. Reported by The Seattle Times
Which side made the stronger case?
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All sources: 4 articles from 4 outlets
Liberal (3)
- CBS News: Pope Leo calls on followers to "value women" and "respect girls"
- The Boston Globe: After his emotional return, Pope denounces ‘machismo’ in Peru and demands women be protected
- The Independent: Pope Leo demands end to violence against women: ‘It wounds all of humanity’
Center (1)
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