Pope Leo XIV apologizes for Holy See role in slavery
By The BriefBrief
Pope Leo XIV issued an apology in his first encyclical for the Holy See’s role in legitimising slavery.
WHO:Pope Leo XIV
WHAT:Issued an apology for the Holy See’s role in legitimising slavery and for failing to condemn it for centuries
WHEN:May 25, 2026 at 12:38 PM ET
WHERE:Vatican City
WHY:He said the Vatican’s record was a “wound in Christian memory” and apologized for its role in legitimising slavery and failing to condemn it for centuries
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