Pope Leo XIV met on Monday with British investigative journalist Gareth Gore, who alleges that the Catholic organization Opus Dei has covered up sexual and financial crimes. According to TimesLIVE and Reuters, Gore urged the pope to launch a formal inquiry into the group, which counts about 85,000 members across 70 countries.
Key Takeaways
Pope Leo XIV met with investigative journalist Gareth Gore, who alleges that Opus Dei has covered up sexual and financial crimes. Gore urged the pope to launch a formal inquiry into the group.
- Pope Leo XIV held an unusual private meeting with author Gareth Gore
- Gore's book accuses Opus Dei of emotional control and financial fraud
- Opus Dei denies all allegations, calling Gore's claims 'twisted facts'
- The Vatican confirmed the meeting but did not comment further
The Vatican press office confirmed that the pope wanted to listen first-hand to Gore's allegations. While it is unusual for the pope to have a private meeting with a journalist, the Vatican released photos of the encounter as reported by AP News. Opus Dei has sharply rejected Gore's accusations, stating in a 2024 release that his book was 'littered with twisted facts.' The group did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the pope's meeting.
The organization is known for its close ties with the Vatican and its mission to spread Christian teachings worldwide. Founded in 1928 by a Spanish priest, Opus Dei teaches Catholics to strive for holiness through their work. Most of its members are not clerics but maintain strict spiritual practices and often choose to remain celibate.
Gore's book, 'Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking and Right-Wing Conspiracy Inside the Catholic Church,' details alleged financial and other abuses within the organization. According to AP News, Argentine prosecutors concluded there were grounds for launching a criminal investigation into top South American Opus officials over charges of human trafficking and labor exploitation against 44 women who said they had been recruited to perform domestic tasks in their homes.
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