Two top contenders to become next pope face allegations of mishandling child sÂ£x abuse cases

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, frontrunners to replace Pope Francis, have been accused of mishandling child sexual abuse claims within the Catholic Church.
The watchdog group Bishop Accountability alleges Parolin withheld critical church documents from civil authorities, obstructing justice in cases across countries including Chile, Britain, Poland, and Australia.
Tagle is criticized for a lack of transparency and failure to publish abuse guidelines in the Philippines, although the Philippine Catholic bishops have defended his limited authority over current allegations.
The allegations raise concerns over their ability to effectively address one of the Church’s most pressing issues as cardinals prepare to vote for the next pope in the upcoming conclave.