(LifeSiteNews) — The story I am about to share is one of the most important LifeSiteNews has ever broken.
An exclusive LifeSiteNews investigation discovered that Fr. Robert Prevost, known today as Pope Leo XIV, took part in the worship of a goddess linked to human sacrifice while serving as an Augustinian friar in Peru.
To understand the significance of this discovery, I need to take you back to the fall of 2019, when the same pagan goddess was worshiped in the gardens of the Vatican.
In the presence of Pope Francis, a group of worshipers – including Franciscan friars – prostrated themselves before a statue of the Amazonian earth goddess Pachamama.
This public act of idolatry sent shockwaves through the Catholic world.
The First Commandment is clear:
Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them. (Exodus 20: 3-5)
Many people have told me that seeing Pachamama worshiped in the Vatican made them realize something had gone very wrong for the Church.
But what we didn’t know then is that the 2019 scandal was just the beginning …
LifeSiteNews has uncovered and carefully verified photographic evidence that proves that the future Leo XIV actively participated in the rite of Pachamama in Peru in 1995.
Father Prevost – then around 40 years old – was photographed kneeling and bowing down before the idol.
All idolatry is a grave offense against God, but the worship of Pachamama is particularly disturbing.
The cult is associated with the ancient practice of child sacrifice in the Inca empire, in the region of modern-day Peru and Bolivia.
Even worse, the worship of Pachamama is associated with human sacrifices taking place in Latin America today.
For example, in 2024 a Bolivian newspaper reported the case of a young mother of two who was drugged and murdered – possibly buried alive – in what investigators believe was a human sacrifice offered to Pachamama.
At LifeSiteNews we think the faithful have the right to know if the man elected to be pope has worshiped a pagan idol linked to human sacrifice.
But not everyone agrees.
There are many in the Catholic media who want stories like this suppressed – they only want to tell the stories that those in power want you to hear.
That’s why the mission of LifeSiteNews is so important – but it’s only with YOUR help that we can keep getting these stories out.
Relying on a few major donors is fatal for an organization’s independence – those donors soon call the shots.
At LifeSiteNews we are free to tell the truth because we are funded by faithful men and women who put the truth first.
Every contribution made – no matter the size – plays a crucial role in keeping LifeSiteNews free and online.
LifeSiteNews must raise $600k to meet our costs this quarter.
But with one week to go in the campaign, we are falling short by $320k.
If you value independent honest reporting, I urge you to donate to LifeSiteNews today.
Truthful reporting has a cost – many of our stories are hard to read, and even harder to write.
We believe in telling the truth – no matter how distressing.
I often reflect on the beautiful passage in the gospel that tells how Our Lord slept soundly while all around Him the storm raged.
As wind and waves lashed the boat, His disciples became afraid and urged Him to act.
And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased: and there was made a great calm. And he said to them: Why are you fearful? have you not faith yet? (Mark 4:39-40)
Today, the Barque of St. Peter is tossed by the storms.
But at LifeSiteNews, we keep the faith.
Our mission is to help you weather the storm, confident that Our Lord will answer our prayers, and bring us peace.
Please help us raise the funds we need to continue our mission.
LifeSiteNews can break the stories that matter – but only with your support.
I am profoundly grateful for your support for LifeSiteNews.
May God bless you,
Yours sincerely in Christ,
John-Henry Westen
CEO & Editor-in-Chief
LifeSiteNews
Sign of the Cross Media
P.S. There are few things more evil than the worship of a pagan idol, especially one linked to human sacrifice.
We believe Catholics have the right to know if those who want to lead them are in any way connected to these things.
If you want a news agency that will tell you the truth – no matter the cost – please donate to LifeSiteNews today.
P.P.S. If you prefer, you can mail your donation to our U.S. or Canadian offices, or call (800) 775-7009.
US MAILING ADDRESS
LifeSiteNews.com
4 Family Life Lane
Front Royal, VA 22630
CANADIAN MAILING ADDRESS
LifeSiteNews.com
157 Catharine St N, Unit 2
Hamilton, ON L8L 4S4
