VATICAN CITY — The Holy See today published the revised Statutes of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, updating the body’s mandate, structure and working methods more than a decade after its founding document was first issued. 

The new Statutes, approved by Pope Leo XIV on 20 May with a Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.mi, will be implemented ad experimentum for a trial period of three years. 

The revision replaces the original 2015 Statutes, issued shortly after the Commission’s establishment by Pope Francis, and was needed to align the Commission with the renewed structure of the Roman Curia set out in the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. 

“The Statutes mark an important step in deepening our shared responsibility to protect and care for the most vulnerable. They reflect listening, to victims and survivors, to safeguarding experts, and to the experience of local Churches, and reaffirm that safeguarding remains a central priority.” – Archbishop Thibault Verny, Commission’s President. 

A clearer mandate 

The Commission continues to advise the Pope on the protection of minors and vulnerable adults from abuse, reporting to him directly through its President. It is established alongside the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, with which it will collaborate closely on safeguarding methodologies, the Annual Report and formation programmes. The Commission’s President or Secretary will sit as members of the Dicastery, while the Dicastery’s Prefect will nominate officials to attend the Commission’s Plenary Assemblies as observers. 

The Statutes describe the Commission’s role as one of guidance rather than governance, supporting the Universal Church through the promotion of local responsibility alongside the other Dicasteries’ competencies. 

Reporting systems and support for local Churches 

The revised text reinforces the Commission’s work in helping local Churches develop accessible reporting systems and listening centres at regional and national level, intended to welcome, listen to and accompany victims and survivors while protecting confidentiality and personal data. The Commission may also be involved in the Ad Limina process and continues to support consecrated life through the Conferences of Major Superiors. 

The Annual Report and collaboration with the Curia 

The Statutes confirm the Commission’s responsibility for preparing an Annual Report on Church policies and procedures for safeguarding, drawn up with contributions from Dicasteries and local ecclesial bodies. After consultation with the Secretariat of State, the report is submitted to the Pope for his consent to publication, distinguishing between verified policies, declared practices, information received, systemic issues and recommendations. The Commission may also submit recommendations to Dicastery Prefects, in coordination with the Secretariat of State, and, in cases of repeated violations or serious shortcomings in local safeguarding systems, may submit assessments directly to the competent Dicastery. 

A long road to approval 

The revision process began in 2022, when the Commission, under its third mandate, took up work informed by Praedicate Evangelium. A draft was prepared by April that year and refined over subsequent years through consultation with the Secretariat of State and several Dicasteries. The final draft was approved by the Commission President at the time, Cardinal Sean P. O’ Malley OFM Cap., in May 2025 and presented personally to Pope Leo XIV and the Secretariat of State. The Pope signaled his support for an expanded mandate during the Commission’s Plenary Assembly in March 2026. The Commission remains composed of up to 23 members appointed by the Pope, meeting twice yearly in Plenary Assembly and supported by an Executive Council. 

The full text of the Statutes is available in Italian at press.vatican.va.