VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV on Monday opened the Plenary Assembly of the Commission, encouraging its members to continue strengthening a culture of safeguarding across the life of the Church.

Receiving the Commission in audience at the Apostolic Palace, the Pope thanked its members for their work in protecting children, adolescents, and people in vulnerable situations. He described their mission as a demanding service that is often carried out quietly but remains essential for the life of the Church and for building what he called an “authentic culture of care.”

Safeguarding at the heart of the Church’s mission

The Holy Father recalled the vision first articulated by Pope Francis: that the prevention of abuse is not an optional activity but a fundamental dimension of the Church’s mission. Safeguarding, he said, must not be understood merely as a set of policies or procedures but as a deeper transformation in attitudes and structures throughout the Church.

“Prevention,” the Pope explained, involves forming communities where concern for the safety and dignity of others arises naturally from faith. Such a culture takes shape when people are willing to listen to the suffering of others and allow those experiences to move them to action.

The Pope also stressed the importance of addressing new forms of risk that arise in the digital environment. As children and young people increasingly live and interact online, he said, safeguarding efforts must take account of the dangers that can emerge in digital spaces. Recognising and responding to these evolving threats is an essential part of the Church’s responsibility to protect minors wherever they may be vulnerable.

Strengthening collaboration within the Church

Pope Leo highlighted the importance of dialogue and collaboration within the Holy See. He noted the growing cooperation between the Commission and the Disciplinary Section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where cases of abuse are examined. This collaboration, he said, allows prevention and disciplinary vigilance to work together in a more coherent and effective way.

The Pope also encouraged the Commission to continue strengthening relationships with other dicasteries and with local Churches around the world, emphasising that safeguarding must permeate pastoral care, formation, governance, and ecclesial discipline.

A responsibility shared across the global Church

“The protection of minors and vulnerable persons,” the Pope said, “is not an isolated sector of the Church’s life, but a dimension that runs through every aspect of its mission.”

The Commission’s plenary gathering brings together members and experts from different parts of the world to reflect on safeguarding challenges and support the development of effective practices across the global Church.

Looking ahead

At the conclusion of his address, Pope Leo stressed the importance of the Commission’s ongoing work, including its Annual Report, which provides an overview of safeguarding developments and challenges across different regions.

Encouraging members to persevere in their task, he reaffirmed that the protection of children and vulnerable persons remains a central responsibility for the Church and a sign of its commitment to justice, healing, and accountability.

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