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Individuals who endured sexual abuse by church officials have voiced renewed hope following their first encounter with Pope Leo at the Holy See.

The board president, heading the anti-abuse organization, stated that the pontiff's choice to engage with them so early in his papacy spoke volumes about his commitment to addressing the problem.

Worldwide Zero-Tolerance Policy Pushed

The organization is advocating for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would defrock any clergy member who confesses to or is proven of abusing a minor. This approach has been implemented in the United States.

The Pontiff acknowledged that there is "opposition in certain regions of the world" to this proposal, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we acknowledged that there is resistance," Hickey remarked.

Inherited Challenge

The current pontiff, who took the role in May, has inherited this longstanding issue that has plagued the Church for decades.

Earlier attempts to resolve the situation included an historic meeting on paedophilia within the Church and revisions to church laws to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Personal Connection

For the representative, who uses they/them pronouns, the drive for worldwide adoption of the policy is deeply meaningful. The Canadian activist shared they were victimized by a clergy member who was later transferred between different parishes.

"Hopefully this will set the tone for his papacy, because we aim to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "Both sides share the same goal, we want to eliminate abuse by religious officials."

Significant Encounter

Seven representatives of the organization, which includes victims and supporters from more than 30 nations, met with the Pope in his Vatican office.

The meeting, initially planned for 20 minutes, lasted to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

The Pope was described as "quite empathetic" when listening to the account of a female survivor abused at a church-run institution for Indigenous children in Canada.

Hickey noted the leader was "compassionate" about their personal experience and seemed "very humble, humorous, and approachable."

"Survivors have consistently sought a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," they stated. "I believed like he was sincere, realistic, and receptive and eager to work with us."

Canon Law Changes

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

They have spoken with specialists and gathered materials that they will present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared engaged in looking at it," Hickey remarked.

Accountability Highlighted

A recent church-ordered document highlighted the "importance of a efficient process for the stepping down and/or removal of religious officials or personnel in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The report also pointed out that victims consistently emphasized the "critical requirement for church leaders and senior officials to be made responsible for negligence and concealment."

Path Ahead

Hickey revealed they told the Pope at the beginning of their discussion: "This is as much a risk for him to participate in a conversation as it was for us."

After the meeting, Hickey voiced optimism for future change.

"We understand it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the end of the day, coming together and establishing a connection and continuing to strengthen that relationship is a step in the correct path," Hickey commented.

They concluded that they shared with the pontiff: "Even though it's a dark chapter, I feel like we can change how the story concludes - he valued that."