Abuse allegations "cannot be put in a drawer," Pope Leo XIV has told new Catholic bishops. Photo: AP PHOTO

Pope Leo has instructed the Catholic Church's newest bishops to confront sexual abuse by priests and not to hide allegations of misconduct, in a text released by the Vatican.

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Sexual abuse scandals have afflicted the Church in various places around the world in recent decades, damaging its standing as a moral voice, sparking costly lawsuits and resulting in the resignations of several prominent bishops.

"(Allegations) cannot be put in a drawer," the Pope said in a closed-door m

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