Just weeks into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV—formerly Robert Prevost—is facing serious allegations connected to his time as a church leader in the U.S.

A defrocked former priest from the Chicago area, James M. Ray, has come forward claiming that Prevost personally approved his housing arrangement in a Hyde Park monastery, despite knowing Ray had been accused of sexually abusing children.

Living Near a School—Without Notification

Ray says Prevost, who at the time led the Midwest province of the Augustinian order, gave him permission to stay at St. John Stone Friary between 2000 and 2002. The location was just steps away from St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School.

“He’s the one who gave me permission to stay there,” Ray told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The issue? Ray had already been accused of abusing at least 13 children and was supposed to be under strict supervision. Yet, neither the school nor a nearby childcare center—just across the alley—was informed about his presence.

Official church documents initially claimed there were no schools nearby, a statement that has since been proven false.

Who Knew What, and When?

Ray insists the Augustinians volunteered to house him and were not pressured by the Archdiocese. He claims they were the only group to respond when the Archdiocese was seeking accommodation for him.

A 2000 internal memo from the Archdiocese reportedly shows that Prevost knew about the arrangement. Critics argue that, as the local Augustinian leader, he had a duty to inform the surrounding community—especially given the proximity to children.

A lawyer representing the Augustinians, however, argues that Prevost merely “accepted a guest of the house,” placing full responsibility for oversight on the friary’s on-site monitor, the late Rev. James Thompson.

Ray’s Troubled History

Ray was removed from public ministry in 2002, following the Boston Globe’s groundbreaking investigation into widespread sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Catholic Church. He was formally defrocked in 2012.

Despite the numerous allegations—including victims as young as 10—Ray downplays the abuse, describing one situation as simply “giving back rubs.” When questioned further, his responses grew vague: “I don’t know,” he said.

Still, Ray maintains his faith.

“I felt abandoned by the Church, but never by God,” he shared. “My faith is still strong. I try to live out my life the best I can. But when this comes up, there’s a pain in my chest.”

Pope Leo’s Commitment to Transparency Now in Question

Since ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV has publicly emphasized the need for transparency and healing in the Church’s handling of abuse cases. In 2023, while overseeing the Vatican’s bishop appointments, he acknowledged that while some leaders have made progress, many still lack the proper preparation to deal with abuse within their dioceses.

“Silence is not the solution,” he told Vatican News. “We must be transparent and honest. We must accompany and assist the victims, because otherwise their wounds will never heal.”

But this latest revelation raises difficult questions about how transparent he was during his time in leadership prior to becoming pope.

Ray’s Reaction—and a Hint of More to Come

When asked for his thoughts on Prevost becoming pope, Ray quipped, “Why did it have to be an Augustinian?”

Still, he described the selection as having “very positive vibes.”

Ray also hinted that there are others from that era who have yet to be scrutinized, suggesting that more revelations could surface.

As the Catholic Church tries to turn a new page, it appears that its past is still catching up—and this time, it’s casting its shadow on the very top.