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Pope meets author urging investigation of catholic group opus dei
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Pope Leo XIV held an unusual private meeting on March 16, 2026, with British investigative journalist Gareth Gore, author of a 2024 book accusing Opus Dei of financial fraud, emotional manipulation, and human trafficking—all of which the organization has vehemently denied.
Pope Holds Unusual Meeting with Author Alleging Opus Dei Misconduct
Pope Leo's Meeting with Investigative Journalist Gareth Gore
By Joshua McElwee
Background of the Meeting
VATICAN CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - Pope Leo met on Monday with an investigative journalist who alleges that a prominent Catholic organisation with ties to right-wing politicians in the U.S. and other countries covered up sexual and financial crimes, which the group firmly denies.
Details of the Encounter
Leo met with British writer Gareth Gore, author of a 2024 book on Opus Dei, a Catholic religious community counting about 85,000 members across 70 countries. In a statement afterwards, Gore said he asked the pope to launch a formal inquiry into the group.
The Vatican press office said the pope wanted to have the meeting to listen first-hand to Gore's allegations. While the pope meets with a range of people daily, it is unusual for him to have a private meeting with a journalist.
About Opus Dei
History and Membership
Opus Dei ("Work of God") was founded in 1928 by a Spanish priest and 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.
Connections to the Vatican
The group is known for close ties with the Vatican, where many employees are members, including at least two former directors of the Vatican's press office.
Allegations and Responses
Claims Made in Gore's Book
Among allegations in the book, Gore said the group practices emotional control over its members and uses its influence to perpetrate financial fraud.
Opus Dei's Official Response
The organization has sharply rejected Gore's accusations, saying in a 2024 statement that his book was "littered with twisted facts". It did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the pope's meeting on Monday.
Opus Dei's Global Presence
Opus Dei has a strong presence in Peru, where Leo served as a missionary for decades before becoming pope. The group says its mission is to spread Christian teachings across the world.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Key Takeaways
- •Pope Leo met journalist Gareth Gore privately—a rare occurrence—on March 16, 2026, to hear his allegations first‑hand.
- •Gore’s 2024 book, “Opus,” alleges Opus Dei engaged in financial crimes, human trafficking, and manipulation; Opus Dei has issued strong denials, calling the book misleading and factually distorted.
- •The meeting signals Pope Leo’s willingness to listen to serious public accusations, though it remains unclear whether any formal investigation into Opus Dei will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope meets author urging investigation of Catholic group Opus Dei
1Why did Pope Leo meet with Gareth Gore?
Pope Leo met with Gareth Gore to listen first-hand to his allegations against Opus Dei and discuss calls for a formal Vatican investigation.
2What are the allegations against Opus Dei?
The allegations include covering up sexual and financial crimes, practicing emotional control, and perpetrating financial fraud, all of which Opus Dei denies.
3How did Opus Dei respond to the accusations?
Opus Dei rejected Gareth Gore's accusations, stating that his book was 'littered with twisted facts' and did not respond to further comment requests.
4What is Opus Dei’s connection to the Vatican?
Opus Dei is known for its close ties to the Vatican, with many employees belonging to the group, including former directors of the Vatican's press office.
5Why is the pope's meeting with a journalist considered unusual?
Although the pope meets various people daily, it is uncommon for him to have a private meeting with a journalist to discuss sensitive allegations.
