Pope Leo Responds to Letters from Survivors
It’s been a meaningful week for Awake: the mail brought a letter from Pope Leo XIV, written in response to the moving messages from survivors that Executive Director Sara Larson carried to the Vatican in June.
Larson traveled to Rome to speak at the International Safeguarding Conference, held at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Before her trip, Awake invited survivors in our community to write to Pope Leo about their experiences of harm in the Church. Larson shared this set of deeply honest, heartfelt letters with Teresa Morris Kettelkamp, adjunct secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, with the request that they be delivered to Pope Leo.
In July, Larson heard from Bishop Luis Manuel Ali Herrera, secretary of the Pontifical Commission, that he had personally taken the letters to the pope. The date on Pope Leo’s letter suggests that he wrote very soon after receiving the survivors’ letters.
“It’s not every day you get a letter from the pope!” Larson says. “When our Leadership Team first conceived of this project, we didn’t know if it would be possible to get survivors’ messages directly to Pope Leo, much less that he would read and acknowledge them. So receiving his reply was quite a surprise. We’re honored that he took the time to respond with a message of acknowledgement and blessing. We also recognize that actions speak louder than words, so we hope this encouraging sign is followed by real change under his leadership.”
Survivors React to the Pope’s Message
The survivors who wrote to Pope Leo have expressed a range of feelings about his letter. Some found hope in his words.
Lisa, who helped to write Awake’s cover note for the letters to Pope Leo, said she felt “many doubts” during the writing process. “I am so very grateful to enjoy the blessing of hope that was not disappointed,” she said. “His simple and sincere response to our pain and suffering was like a soothing balm. It instills confidence in me that survivors can dare to hope, expect, and receive healing responses and reforms in the Church. Thank you, Awake for planting seeds of hope!"
Another survivor, Emily Hess, said, "I was touched that he took the time to respond, especially given the immense amount of people I'm sure are vying for his time and attention every day. I'm glad he took the time to let us know he heard us."
Others found the letter lacking important specifics about the steps Pope Leo will take toward change. "My initial thought when I read Pope Leo's letter was that I wanted to know more of what tangibly will or is being done by him to rectify the hurt abuse has caused the church and its members,” survivor Amy Owens said. “I appreciate the prayers of peace and comfort, however an assurance that action will occur to make some rectification for the hurt that has happened to so many would have brought me much needed solace."
Maria Silvers felt a mix of disappointment and hope, given Pope Leo’s position as the shepherd of the Church. “Though he offers his closeness to survivors through prayer, Pope Leo’s letter is absent a commitment to fix what is broken, nor does he acknowledge his role as essential to making long overdue change and reconciliation within the church possible,” she said. Yet she hopes that he was “moved by our collective voices.”
”It is my hope and prayer that his encounter with Awake made undeniable to him the continued toll of the storm of abuse in our Church,” Silvers said. “May our cries for the changes only he has the authority to make real compel him to actively shepherd the people of God to a horizon of hope and healing.”
One survivor in our community was particularly moved by Pope Leo’s letter, and he wrote this earnest message in response:
Dear Pope Leo XIV,
Thank you for your heartfelt reply. Your acknowledgment of the letters and the voices of those who shared their pain means more than words can express. Your expression of closeness, prayer, and blessing brings a sense of comfort and spiritual support to many who have long sought to be heard with compassion.
We are deeply grateful for your commitment to recognizing the suffering endured, and for your prayers for healing and renewed trust within the Church. Your assurance to entrust these stories to God offers hope in the midst of sorrow.
May the Lord continue to guide your leadership with wisdom and grace as you encourage efforts to create a safe and just Church for all.
With sincere gratitude and prayers,
Vincent Perez, MD
—Erin O’Donnell
