Pope Leo XIV Names France’s Verny to Lead Vatican Abuse Commission

Pope Leo XIV has named French Archbishop Thibault Verny, 59, as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, replacing U.S. Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley. The appointment, announced on 5 July, is the American-born pontiff’s most concrete step so far to reinforce his pledge to confront clergy sexual abuse.

Verny, who has served on the commission since 2022 and heads the French bishops’ child-protection council, has overseen annual audits of diocesan victim-assistance centers launched after a 2021 report estimated that 330,000 children in France were abused by church personnel over seven decades. He said he is "fully aware of the serious and sacred task" ahead, while O’Malley welcomed the choice, citing Verny’s record of working with victims and civil authorities.

The leadership change follows a series of strong statements by Leo XIV. On 25 June, addressing about 400 bishops in St. Peter’s Basilica, he reaffirmed the discipline of priestly celibacy and ordered bishops to take "firm and decisive" action against offenders to avoid further scandal and division. Three days earlier, in a written message to Peruvian journalists investigating the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae case, he declared "zero tolerance" for any form of abuse and called for transparent processes across the church.

Taken together, the personnel choice, doctrinal reiterations and public messaging signal continuity with the reforms initiated under Pope Francis and amplify expectations that dioceses worldwide will tighten prevention protocols and improve accountability to survivors.