Real Pope Francis
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A01=Juan Pablo Gallego
argentina
Author_Juan Pablo Gallego
bishop bergoglio
bishop Juan Barros
books about pope francis
books about sexual abuse in the church
buenos aires
Cardinal Bergoglio
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Category=QRMB1
defrocked priests
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Father Julio Cesar Grassi
forthcoming
Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Julio Cesar Grassi
Mauro Inzoli
pedophile priests
Pope Francis
sexual abuse by priests
sexual scandal in the church
vatican
Product details
- ISBN 9781510786967
- Weight: 294g
- Dimensions: 140 x 210mm
- Publication Date: 22 Oct 2026
- Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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The Real Pope Francis: Denying Truth in the Face of Sexual Abuse by Juan Pablo Gallego is a comprehensive critique of Pope Francis's (Jorge Bergoglio's) handling of clerical sexual abuse scandals in Argentina, arguing that he prioritized avoiding scandals over protecting victims and pursuing justice. Drawing from historical cases like the 2002 Boston Archdiocese revelations and parallel abuses in Ireland, the book contrasts Pope Benedict XVI's "zero tolerance" policy with Francis's perceived inaction and double standards. Gallego presents evidence from Francis's tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires (1998–2013), where he allegedly remained silent on abuse crises, failed to support victims, and even commissioned studies defending convicted abusers. The narrative frames Francis's papacy as marred by marketing rhetoric that masks a lack of substantive reforms, such as global protocols or reparations for survivors.
Central to the critique is the case of Argentine priest Julio Grassi, a media-savvy cleric convicted in 2009 of abusing minors at his Happy Children Foundation. Gallego details how Bergoglio actively lobbied for Grassi's acquittal, including producing "Studies on the Grassi Case" in 2009–2013, which dismissed accusations as a witch hunt and challenged secular justice. This document, supervised by Bergoglio, was distributed to influence Argentine courts, even as Grassi's conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2017. The book highlights Bergoglio's meetings with judges and his refusal to sanction Grassi canonically, portraying this as emblematic of his broader contempt for victims and interference in sovereign judicial processes.
Gallego extends the analysis to Francis's global papacy, noting failures in cases like those involving Marcial Maciel, Theodore McCarrick, and Gustavo Zanchetta, where cover-ups persisted despite promises. The 2019 Vatican Summit and 2024 report are dismissed as superficial, lacking independent verification or accountability. The author laments Francis's death in 2025 without returning to Argentina or addressing local victims, urging his successor to implement true zero tolerance, systemic reviews, and victim-centered reforms to heal the Church's wounds.
Central to the critique is the case of Argentine priest Julio Grassi, a media-savvy cleric convicted in 2009 of abusing minors at his Happy Children Foundation. Gallego details how Bergoglio actively lobbied for Grassi's acquittal, including producing "Studies on the Grassi Case" in 2009–2013, which dismissed accusations as a witch hunt and challenged secular justice. This document, supervised by Bergoglio, was distributed to influence Argentine courts, even as Grassi's conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2017. The book highlights Bergoglio's meetings with judges and his refusal to sanction Grassi canonically, portraying this as emblematic of his broader contempt for victims and interference in sovereign judicial processes.
Gallego extends the analysis to Francis's global papacy, noting failures in cases like those involving Marcial Maciel, Theodore McCarrick, and Gustavo Zanchetta, where cover-ups persisted despite promises. The 2019 Vatican Summit and 2024 report are dismissed as superficial, lacking independent verification or accountability. The author laments Francis's death in 2025 without returning to Argentina or addressing local victims, urging his successor to implement true zero tolerance, systemic reviews, and victim-centered reforms to heal the Church's wounds.
Dr. Juan Pablo Gallego is a partner at the Cremades & Calvo Sotelo law firm in Madrid, Spain and the director of Gallego Abogados law firm in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a member of the board of the World Jurist Association since 2019 and a founding patron of the World Law Foundation. Gallego is an international consultant for a number Latin American and international organizations including, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, CONADEH (National Human Rights Commission), UNICEF, and the United Nations. He is a professor at the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid, professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires, and visiting professor at the Autonomous University of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Gallego is the author of the recent book, Justice in Shifting Sands in Argentina, coauthor of the report, “Sexual Abuse within the Catholic Church” in Spain, coauthor of the 2023 “Bill on Vicarious Violence” submitted to the Congress of Colombia, and autor of the instructional module “Abuse, Child Maltreatment, and Gender Violence from a Multidimensional and Complex Perspective” in Honduras, among many other reports, legislative bills, instructional manuals, and books. He writes for Spanish media and legal publications such as El País newspaper in Spain as well as Noticias magazine and Errejus Journal of Family in Argentina.
Gallego is the author of the recent book, Justice in Shifting Sands in Argentina, coauthor of the report, “Sexual Abuse within the Catholic Church” in Spain, coauthor of the 2023 “Bill on Vicarious Violence” submitted to the Congress of Colombia, and autor of the instructional module “Abuse, Child Maltreatment, and Gender Violence from a Multidimensional and Complex Perspective” in Honduras, among many other reports, legislative bills, instructional manuals, and books. He writes for Spanish media and legal publications such as El País newspaper in Spain as well as Noticias magazine and Errejus Journal of Family in Argentina.
