Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Alleged Abuse Victims Urge Pope Leo to Expedite Rupnik Trial
Five people who say they were abused by a priest named Marko Rupnik wrote to Pope Leo.
They asked him to help finish the Church’s investigation and trial more quickly.
They said the process has lasted almost a year and has been kept secret.
They also said they have not received updates or been allowed to give testimony.
More than 20 women have accused Rupnik of sexual and psychological abuse.
Rupnik was removed from the Jesuit order in 2023 after the accusations were judged highly credible.
The Vatican said in July that no decision had been made.
The victims worry that a slow process could make people think reporting abuse is pointless.
Five alleged victims of Rev. Marko Rupnik urged Pope Leo to speed up the Church trial.
The victims said the nearly year-long, secret process had provided no updates and denied them opportunities to testify.
More than 20 women, mostly former nuns, have accused Rupnik of sexual and psychological abuse.
Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuit order in 2023 after the allegations were deemed “very highly” credible.
The Vatican denied in July that a decision had been reached, while the Vatican press office offered no immediate comment.
- Who
- Five alleged victims of Rev. Marko Rupnik appealed to Pope Leo; more than 20 women have accused Rupnik.
- What
- They urged the pope to expedite and ensure a fair, transparent Church trial for Rupnik.
- When
- The appeal was reported on September 23, ahead of Pope Leo’s four-day visit to France; the trial was announced in October 2025 and has lasted nearly a year.
- Where
- The appeal concerned a Vatican Church trial, while Pope Leo was preparing to visit France and Lourdes.
- Why
- The victims said the secretive process had denied them updates and opportunities to testify and could undermine confidence in reporting abuse.
Victims’ call for transparency
Church process and Vatican response
Speed and access to justice
Victims’ call for transparency
The five victims want Pope Leo to press for a prompt, fair trial and say they have received no updates or opportunity to testify.
Church process and Vatican response
The Church trial is proceeding behind closed doors, and the Vatican has denied that a decision had already been reached.
Impact on confidence in reporting abuse
Victims’ call for transparency
The victims said the delay sends a message that reporting abuse to ecclesiastical authorities is useless and that no one will be held accountable.
Church process and Vatican response
The Vatican press office did not immediately comment, so no detailed institutional response to that criticism was provided.
Rupnik’s public legacy
Victims’ call for transparency
The victims’ allegations have prompted scrutiny of Rupnik’s continuing presence in Church art and institutions.
Church process and Vatican response
The bishop of Lourdes ordered Rupnik’s mosaics at the basilica covered for Pope Leo’s visit, while the article reports no public comment from Rupnik on the allegations.
- Accused priest
- Rev. Marko Rupnik, a Slovenian priest and religious artist
- Number of signatories
- Five alleged victims signed the open letter
- Broader allegations
- More than 20 women, mostly former nuns, have accused Rupnik
- Church action
- Rupnik was expelled from the Jesuit order in 2023
- Trial status
- A Church trial was announced in October 2025, with few public updates
- Vatican position
- The Vatican denied in July that a decision had been made
- Lourdes mosaics
- The bishop of Lourdes ordered Rupnik’s mosaics covered during the pope’s visit