The real Pope Francis | Denying the truth in the face of sexual assault

The Real Pope Francis: Denying the Truth in the Face of Sexual Abuse, by Juan Pablo Gallego, is a comprehensive critique of Pope Francis's (Jorge Bergoglio) handling of the clerical sex abuse scandals in Argentina, arguing that he prioritized avoiding scandal at the expense of protecting victims and seeking justice. Drawing on historical cases such as the 2002 Boston Archdiocese scandal, and similar cases in Ireland, the book contrasts Pope Benedict XVI's "zero tolerance" policy with what is seen as inaction and double standards on the part of Francis. Gallego presents evidence from Francis's tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998-2013), during which he allegedly remained silent about abuse crises, failed to support victims, and even commissioned studies to defend convicted abusers. The book portrays Francis's papacy as marred by propaganda rhetoric that conceals the absence of substantive reforms, such as global protocols or compensation for survivors. Central to this critique is the subject of Argentine priest Julio Grassi, a media-savvy cleric who was convicted in 2009 of abusing minors at his Foundation for Happy Children. Gallego details how Bergoglio actively sought to exonerate Grassi, including preparing “studies on the Grassi case” between 2009 and 2013, which dismissed the accusations as a campaign of persecution and defied civil justice. This document, supervised by Bergoglio, was distributed to influence the Argentine courts, even after the Supreme Court upheld Grassi's conviction in 2017. The book highlights Bergoglio's encounters with judges and his refusal to legally punish Grassi, portraying this as evidence of his broader contempt for victims and his interference in sovereign judicial processes. Gallego expands his analysis to include Pope Francis's global papacy, pointing to failures in cases such as those involving Marcial Maciel, Theodore McCarrick, and Gustavo Zanchetta, where facts continued to be covered up despite promises. He dismisses the 2019 Vatican summit report and the 2024 report as superficial, lacking independent verification or accountability. The author laments that Pope Francis will die in 2025 without returning to Argentina or addressing local victims, and urges his successor to implement a zero-tolerance policy, systematic reviews, and victim-centered reforms to heal the church's wounds.