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People who endured sexual abuse by church officials have voiced renewed hope after their initial meeting with the new Pope at the Vatican.

The board president, heading the anti-abuse organization, commented that the Pope's choice to engage with them so early in his papacy sent a strong message about his dedication to addressing the problem.

Global Strict Policy Advocated

The organization is pushing for a worldwide zero-tolerance policy that would permanently remove any priest who admits to or is proven of abusing a child. This policy has been implemented in the US.

The Pontiff recognized that there is "opposition in some parts of the globe" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

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

Inherited Challenge

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

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

Personal Connection

For Hickey, who prefers gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the policy is personal. The Canadian advocate shared they were abused by a clergy member who was later moved between various churches.

"We trust this will establish the direction for his leadership, because we aim to collaborate with him," they expressed. "We have the common objective, we want to eliminate abuse by religious officials."

Significant Encounter

Seven members of the organization, which includes survivors and supporters from more than 30 nations, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, initially planned for a brief period, extended to a sixty minutes, during which the Pope "primarily heard to us," according to the representative.

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

They noted the leader was "tender" about their own story and appeared "very humble, funny, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," Hickey commented. "I felt like he was genuine, realistic, and receptive and keen to work with us."

Canon Law Changes

The group is advocating that changes to canon law will facilitate the implementation of the strict approach worldwide.

They have spoken with experts and compiled materials that they plan to present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared interested in reviewing it," they noted.

Accountability Emphasized

A recent Vatican-commissioned report highlighted the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the resignation and/or removal of Church leaders or personnel in cases of misconduct or negligence."

The document also pointed out that victims consistently emphasized the "critical requirement for church leaders and major superiors to be made responsible for inaction and cover-up."

Moving Forward

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

After the meeting, they voiced hope for future change.

"We realise it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the conclusion, coming together and establishing a relationship and persisting to strengthen that relationship is a move in the correct path," they stated.

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