Argentina's abuse survivors demand action as Pope Leon XIV arrives

Pope Leon XIV arrives in Argentina on November 8 for a four day trip that coincides with ongoing legal battles over sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. Survivors in the country are using the visit to press the Vatican for immediate action against priests who have already faced criminal convictions. The itinerary includes stops in Buenos Aires and the province of Cordoba, regions where recent scandals have intensified public frustration with church leadership.

In Cordoba, a dozen families have accused parish priest Alejandro Nicola of abusing minors at a local kindergarten. Most of the alleged incidents occurred in 2025. Despite these claims, Nicola was seen celebrating mass at the Cordoba Cathedral in July. Florencia Navarro, a member of the local victims network, told The Associated Press that she no longer trusts the institution. She stated that the pope represents God to many people and should explain the church's failure to protect vulnerable children. Her colleague Fernanda Aguero added that she expects concrete actions rather than just speeches during the papal visit.

In Buenos Aires, a group of 43 women is seeking a meeting with the pope regarding their experiences in the Opus Dei. They allege they were recruited as teenagers and subjected to unpaid labor between 1970 and 2015. The women claim they worked 12 to 16 hour days as servants for higher ranking members in isolated conditions. Andrea Martinez, 52, described entering the organization as a girl and feeling like she had no identity. Rosana Vaccon said she was isolated from her family, preventing her from learning about her father's severe illness. The group wants the pope to intervene and demand a public apology from Opus Dei leaders.

In Mendoza, the Antonio Provoilo institute case remains a focal point for criticism of Vatican silence. A court sentenced former nun Kumiko Kosaka to 20 years in prison in September for abusing five deaf students. Previous rulings in 2019 gave the highest prison sentences in Argentine history to two priests in that case. The Vatican started a canonical trial in 2017 but has not publicly announced a decision, even though a judge from Rome recommended stripping the priests of their clerical status.

Critics also point to high profile priests who remain in the priesthood despite criminal records. Christian Von Wernich, who received a life sentence in 2007 for crimes during the military dictatorship, has not faced a known canonical sanction. Julio Grassi, sentenced to 15 years for abusing a minor, has had his case pending since 2017. Gustavo Zanchetta, condemned in 2022 for abusing two seminarians, was released on parole in 2025. The Vatican has not responded to requests for comment on the canonical status of these men or the progress of their church trials.