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People who endured abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced fresh optimism after their first meeting with the new Pope at the Holy See.

Gemma Hickey, who leads Ending Clergy Abuse, stated that the Pope's choice to meet with them so soon in his papacy sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the issue.

Global Strict Policy Advocated

The organization is pushing for a worldwide strict approach that would defrock any clergy member who confesses to or is found guilty of abusing a child. This approach has been implemented in the US.

The Pope recognized that there is "opposition in some parts of the world" to this proposal, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we acknowledged that there is pushback," Hickey stated.

Legacy Challenge

The current pontiff, who assumed the position in spring, has inherited this persistent issue that has plagued the Church for many years.

Previous efforts to address the situation included an historic meeting on paedophilia within the Church and changes to canon law to clearly outlaw abuse.

Personal Link

For Hickey, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, the campaign for worldwide adoption of the policy is personal. The North American advocate revealed they were abused by a priest who was later transferred between different parishes.

"Hopefully this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we aim to work with him," Hickey stated. "We have the same goal, we seek to end abuse by religious officials."

Significant Encounter

Seven members of the coalition, which represents victims and supporters from more than 30 countries, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The meeting, originally scheduled for a brief period, extended to a full hour, during which the Pope "mostly listened to us," according to Hickey.

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

Hickey noted the Pope was "tender" about their personal experience and appeared "modest, humorous, and very down to earth."

"Victims have long wanted a voice in discussions and I didn't perceive like he was giving us lip service," Hickey commented. "I believed like he was sincere, practical, and receptive and eager to work with us."

Church Regulations Changes

The organization is advocating that revisions to church regulations will enable the adoption of the strict approach globally.

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

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

Accountability Highlighted

A recently released Vatican-commissioned document highlighted the "necessity of a efficient process for the stepping down and/or removal of religious officials or personnel in cases of misconduct or negligence."

The document also noted that survivors repeatedly stressed the "critical requirement for bishops and senior officials to be held accountable for inaction and cover-up."

Path Ahead

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

After the meeting, they voiced optimism for future change.

"We understand it's not something that's going to happen overnight, but at the end of the day, uniting and establishing a relationship and persisting to build that relationship is a move in the correct path," Hickey stated.

Hickey added that they shared with Pope Leo: "Even though it's a difficult period, I believe like we can change how the story concludes - he appreciated that."