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People who endured abuse by church officials have expressed fresh optimism following their first encounter with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The board president, heading Ending Clergy Abuse, commented that the pontiff's decision to meet with them so early in his leadership sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the issue.

Global Zero-Tolerance Approach Pushed

The group is advocating for a global strict approach that would permanently remove any clergy member who admits to or is proven of sexually abusing a child. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pontiff recognized that there is "resistance in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to the representative.

"We were all being realistic when we recognized that there is resistance," Hickey remarked.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who assumed the position in May, has taken on this longstanding problem that has haunted the Catholic Church for many years.

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

Personal Link

For Hickey, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the measure is deeply meaningful. The North American activist shared they were victimized by a priest who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will set the tone for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," they expressed. "Both sides share the common objective, we want to end clergy abuse."

Significant Meeting

Multiple representatives of the organization, which includes victims and advocates from more than 30 countries, met with the Pontiff in his Vatican office.

The discussion, initially planned for 20 minutes, extended to a full hour, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was described as "very understanding" when listening to the story of a woman abused at a church-run institution for native youth in North America.

They added the leader was "compassionate" about their own story and seemed "modest, humorous, and approachable."

"Victims have consistently sought a seat at the table and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," Hickey commented. "I believed like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and eager to collaborate with us."

Canon Law Changes

The organization is advocating that changes to church regulations will facilitate the implementation of the strict approach worldwide.

They have consulted experts and gathered documents that they will submit to the pontiff.

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

Accountability Highlighted

A recently released church-ordered document highlighted the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or dismissal of religious officials or staff in cases of abuse or negligence."

The report also pointed out that survivors repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and senior officials to be held accountable for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

Hickey revealed they informed the pontiff at the start of their discussion: "This is as much a risk for him to participate in a dialogue as it was for us."

After the meeting, Hickey expressed optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the conclusion, coming together and establishing a relationship and continuing to strengthen that bond is a move in the correct path," Hickey stated.

Hickey concluded that they told with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a difficult period, I feel like we can alter how the narrative concludes - he valued that."