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People who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have expressed fresh optimism after their first meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

Gemma Hickey, heading the anti-abuse organization, commented that the pontiff's choice to meet with them so soon in his papacy sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the issue.

Global Strict Approach Pushed

The organization is pushing for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would permanently remove any clergy member who confesses to or is proven of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has already been adopted in the United States.

The Pope acknowledged that there is "resistance in certain regions of the globe" to this proposal, according to Hickey.

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

Legacy Issue

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

Earlier attempts to address the situation included an historic summit on paedophilia within the institution and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Personal Link

For Hickey, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the measure is deeply meaningful. The North American advocate revealed they were victimized by a clergy member who was later moved between different parishes.

"We trust this will set the tone for his leadership, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "We have the same goal, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Multiple members of the organization, which represents survivors and advocates from more than 30 countries, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, initially planned for a brief period, lasted to a full hour, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to the representative.

The pontiff was characterized as "very understanding" when hearing the account of a woman victimized at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada.

Hickey noted the Pope was "tender" about their own experience and seemed "modest, funny, and very down to earth."

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

Church Regulations Reforms

The organization is advocating that changes to church regulations will facilitate the adoption of the zero-tolerance policy worldwide.

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

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

Responsibility Emphasized

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

The document also noted that victims consistently emphasized the "urgent need for church leaders and major superiors to be held accountable for inaction and concealment."

Path Ahead

The representative revealed they told the pontiff at the beginning of their meeting: "This is as much a challenge for him to engage in a dialogue as it was for us."

Following the meeting, they expressed optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the end of the day, uniting and building a relationship and continuing to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," they commented.

They concluded that they told with the pontiff: "Even though it's a difficult period, I feel like we can alter how the story ends - he valued that."