Purify The Church
Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV:
On May 8, 2025, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, and Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced “Habemus Papam” to over 100,000 pilgrims in
St. Peter’s Square, heralding Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff [1]. This historic milestone for 1.4 billion Catholics is
marred by controversies that threaten his leadership, particularly allegations of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups, progressive policies clashing with traditional
Catholicism, and a fixer role tasked with discreetly managing scandals to shield the Church’s reputation. This summary highlights key points, emphasizing negative findings with a skeptical lens on Prevost’s “Francis 2.0” alignment, which alienates
traditionalists over issues like the TLM.
Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, to Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez, Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine, ordained in 1982, and
earned degrees in mathematics, divinity, and canon law [2][3][4]. His career spanned Chicago (provincial, 1999–2001), Peru (Bishop of Chiclayo, 2015–2023;
Peruvian citizen, DNI 48904649), and Rome (prior general, 2001–2013; Dicastery prefect, 2023–2025; cardinal, 2023) [3][5][9]. Appointed by Pope Francis, he
stabilized Chiclayo’s Church amid Peru’s 2018–2022 political crises, per The College of Cardinals Report: “Peru’s bishops reportedly played an important role
in ensuring institutional stability” [13]. Elected Pope Leo XIV, he overcame anti-American bias, per LifeSiteNews: “Cardinal Robert Prevost is the 267th pope,
elected on the second day” [1][8]. Yet, his ascent is tainted by a fixer role, discreetly managing crises to avoid reputational damage, per LifeSiteNews:
“Questions surround his silence and his actions as Prefect” [25]. As Dicastery prefect, he handled sensitive bishop nominations, including progressive
appointments, suggesting a role in suppressing scandals, per The Remnant: “Prevost’s actions reflect a progressive Church prioritizing image over justice”
[19]. In Chiclayo, his delayed response to abuse allegations, per The Daily Compass: “Prevost delayed action until 2022, citing COVID restrictions” [15],
indicates discreet containment to protect the Church’s image, undermining accountability.
The gravest negative information involves SNAP’s March 25, 2025, letter accusing Prevost of covering up clergy abuse in three cases, clashing with traditional
Catholic accountability. In Chicago, as provincial, he approved Father James Ray’s residence near a school, despite The Pillar: “Church records reveal Ray abused several boys… some as young as 10” [10]. SNAP alleges: “Prevost’s failure to notify the school violated Vos estis lux mundi transparency norms, endangering children” [6]. As prior general, he failed to act against Father Richard J. McGrath, per The Pillar: “Krankvich’s 2018 lawsuit alleges McGrath raped him repeatedly”
[1]. The Chicago Sun-Times reports: “A far southwest suburban man has died at age 43… trauma led to addiction issues” [21]. In Chiclayo, SNAP claims:
“Prevost’s failure to investigate, and allowing Vásquez’s ministry, violated Vos estis lux mundi” [6], with photos showing: “Photos confirm Vásquez’s continued
ministry in March–April 2023” [1]. The Daily Compass notes: “The unresolved investigation… has attracted international scrutiny” [21]. X user @tlthe5th4 states: “Pope Leo XIV’s Peru-Chicago abuse cover-up trail” [29]. These lapses, reflecting a fixer’s discreet approach to avoid scrutiny, per FishEaters: “Prevost’s inaction reflects a Church prioritizing secrecy” [19], pose severe risks.
Prevost’s progressive policies fuel traditionalist backlash. His TLM silence and support for Amoris Laetitia and Fiducia Supplicans clash with doctrinal rigor, per
The Remnant: “Leo XIV is Francis 2.0, eroding doctrine” [19]. His anti-MAGA stance, per Yahoo News: “On February 13, 2025, Prevost posted a link to a Francis
essay criticizing Trump’s immigration policies” [3], draws X user @johnddavidson’s ire: “The Latin Mass is the heart of our faith” [26].
LifeSiteNews highlights new controversies: “The man who oversaw the takedown of Bishop Joseph Strickland…” [25], and “Cardinal @drprevost Leo XIV… urged invalid Confession by phone during COVID” [28], with Dicastery silence noted: “Questions surround his silence and his actions as Prefect” [25]. These actions, managed discreetly to align with Francis’ agenda, exacerbate traditionalist distrust [19][25]. No financial scandals emerge, per Sayari: “No risks identified in SUNAT Registry for CLUSAT” [3], though El Comercio notes: “Correo notes…unspecified concerns about transparency” [15].
Risks include Chiclayo lawsuits, TLM crackdowns, and factionalism, with high traditionalist backlash, per The Remnant [19]. Prevost’s papacy, marked by abuse cover-ups and a fixer’s discreet management, faces profound legitimacy challenges [6][19][25][26].
Footnotes
1. [LifeSiteNews, “Cardinal Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV: Habemus Papam
2025,” May 8, 2025, https://www.lifesitenews.com/episodes/breaking-
cardinal-prevost-elected-pope-leo-xiv-habemus-papam-2025]
2. [TruthFinder Background Report, Robert F Prevost, May 8, 2025]
3. [Sayari L1 Due Diligence Report, PREVOST ROBERT FRANCIS, May 7,
2025]
4. [Reuters, “Prevost, first US pope, supported Francis and shunned spotlight,”
May 8, 2025, https://www.reuters.com]
5. [CBC, “Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope, making him the 1st American
to hold the title,” May 8, 2025, https://www.cbc.ca]
6. [CatholicVote, “SNAP Letter to Vatican Officials,” March 31, 2025,
https://catholicvote.org]
7. [The Guardian, “Robert Francis Prevost becomes first US pope and will be
known as Leo XIV – live,” May 8, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com]
8. [LifeSiteNews, “Cardinal Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV,” May 8, 2025,
https://www.lifesitenews.com]
9. [AP News, “What to know about Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo
XIV,” May 5, 2025, https://www.apnews.com]
10. [National Catholic Reporter, “The pope from Chicago backed Pope Francis’
reforms,” May 8, 2025, https://www.ncronline.org]
11. [Chicago Sun-Times, “Augustinian Order Faces Criticism Over McGrath
Case,” May 5, 2025, https://www.chicagosuntimes.com]
12. [CBS News, “American Cardinal Robert Prevost chosen as new pope,” May
8, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com]
13. [The Daily Compass, “Prevost and Co: anyone involved in sexual abuse
should…,” September 2024, https://newdailycompass.com/en/prevost-and-
co-anyone-involved-in-sexual-abuse-should]
14. [Wikipedia, “Pope Leo XIV,” May 8, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org]
15. [El Comercio, “Chiclayo Diocese Faces Abuse Allegations,” November
2023, https://www.elcomercio.pe]
16. [Slate, “New pope: Did the conclave pick Robert Prevost, Leo XIV, to
knock J.D. Vance?,” May 8, 2025, https://slate.com]
17. [The Independent, “Who is Robert Prevost? Chicago-born American
cardinal appointed 267th Pope,” May 8, 2025,
https://www.independent.co.uk]
18. [The Remnant, “Pope Leo XIV: Francis 2.0 or Traditionalist Hope?,” May 8,
2025, https://www.theremnantnewspaper.com]
19. [Sky News, “Who is Pope Leo XIV? American Robert Prevost announced as
leader of Catholic Church,” May 8, 2025, https://news.sky.com]
20. [NBC News, “Conclave elects Pope Leo XIV as Cardinal Robert Prevost
becomes first U.S.-born pontiff: Live updates,” May 8, 2025,
https://www.nbcnews.com]
21. [The Daily Compass, “Paedophile priests’ cover-up casts shadows over
Prevost, cardinal who selects bishops,” September 2024,
https://newdailycompass.com/en/paedophile-priests-cover-up-casts-
shadows-over-prevost-cardinal-who-selects-bishops]
22. [The Independent, “Pope Leo XIV: What the new pope’s name choice says
about his future plans,” May 8, 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk]
23. [The New York Times, “What Pope Leo XIV has said about LGBTQ+
people, immigration and abortion,” May 8, 2025, https://19thnews.org]
24. [AP News, “Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic
Church, takes the name Leo XIV,” May 8, 2025, https://apnews.com]
25. [X Post by @PenitentLeopold, May 8, 2025]
26. [X Post by @johnddavidson, May 8, 2025]
27. [X Post by @JamesCoburn3, May 8, 2025]
28. [X Post by @GigaZen210, May 8, 2025]
29. [X Post by @tlthe5th4, May 8, 2025]