Pope Francis announced a “zero-tolerance strategy” after taking office and has since sworn countless times: Catholic priests who commit sexual abuse should be relentlessly held accountable, and there should be an end to the cover-up.
The case of the Argentine clergyman Gustavo Óscar Zanchetta shows what these papal words are worth when it comes to friends and acquaintances of Francis.
For Francis it is more than embarrassing that a court in Argentina has now sentenced his friend to four and a half years in prison for sexual assault.
Because the Pope had brought Zanchetta to the Vatican and created a post for him there after he was no longer tenable as a bishop in Argentina.
Francis apparently knew early on about the allegations against the clergyman.
His description of Zanchetta's interrogation, which he gave to journalists, reveals how seriously the Pope takes relentless clarification: Francis confronted him with the accusation that pornographic images had been found on his smartphone.
The priest claims to have been the victim of a hacker attack.
The Pope believes him and says: "In case of doubt for the accused."
But how many Catholics will believe the pope when he speaks of a "zero tolerance" policy?