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Individuals who endured sexual abuse by church officials have voiced fresh optimism following their initial meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The board president, who leads the anti-abuse organization, stated that the Pope's decision to meet with them so soon in his leadership sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the issue.

Global Zero-Tolerance Policy Advocated

The group is advocating for a global zero-tolerance policy that would permanently remove any clergy member who admits to or is found guilty of abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "resistance in some parts of the globe" to this initiative, according to the representative.

"Everyone was practical when we recognized that there is pushback," Hickey remarked.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who took the role in spring, has taken on this persistent issue that has haunted the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the problem included an unprecedented meeting on paedophilia within the institution and revisions to canon law to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Connection

For the representative, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, the drive for global implementation of the policy is personal. The Canadian activist shared they were abused by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between various churches.

"Hopefully this will set the tone for his papacy, because we aim to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "We have the common objective, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Seven members of the organization, which represents survivors and advocates from more than 30 countries, engaged with the Pope in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The pontiff was described as "quite empathetic" when hearing the story of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for native youth in North America.

Hickey added the Pope was "compassionate" about their own experience and seemed "modest, humorous, and approachable."

"Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was giving us lip service," Hickey stated. "I believed like he was genuine, practical, and very open and eager to collaborate with us."

Canon Law Reforms

The group is hoping that changes to canon law will enable the adoption of the strict approach worldwide.

They have consulted experts and compiled documents that they plan to submit to the pontiff.

"He appeared engaged in reviewing it," Hickey remarked.

Responsibility Emphasized

A recently released Vatican-commissioned report highlighted the "importance of a efficient process for the stepping down and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The document also pointed out that survivors repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for bishops and senior officials to be made responsible for negligence and concealment."

Moving Forward

Hickey shared they informed the pontiff at the start of their meeting: "This is as much a challenge for him to engage in a conversation as it was for us."

Following the encounter, they voiced optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, uniting and establishing a relationship and persisting to build that bond is a step in the correct path," Hickey commented.

Hickey added that they shared with the pontiff: "Just because it's a dark chapter, I believe like we can change how the story ends - he valued that."