Vatican City.
In a significant step towards accountability, Pope Leo this week held a private meeting with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, promising continued dialogue, support, and concrete reforms to address the long-standing crisis within the Church.
The meeting, held at the Apostolic Palace, brought together four survivors and two representatives from the international advocacy group Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA). The survivors, who came from various parts of the world, described the conversation with the Pope as emotional and sincere.
According to participants, Pope Leo listened intently to personal testimonies and acknowledged the deep wounds caused by decades of abuse and institutional silence. “He didn’t just hear us — he truly listened,” one survivor told reporters after the meeting.
Key among the survivors’ demands was the implementation of a global zero-tolerance policy on clergy sexual abuse, ensuring that no member of the Church is above accountability, regardless of their position or location. The group also pressed for more transparency in how abuse cases are handled.
In response, the Pope reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the vulnerable and restoring trust in the Church. He also expressed his intention to continue working closely with survivors’ groups to shape lasting reform and prevent future abuse.
This meeting comes at a time when the Vatican faces renewed criticism for its handling of sexual abuse allegations. Recent reports have spotlighted gaps in enforcement and a lack of consistency across dioceses worldwide.
While the discussion marked a hopeful moment for many, survivors and advocates emphasized that progress will be measured by actions, not words. “This is a good beginning,” an ECA representative said, “but we’ll be watching what the Church does next.”
The Vatican has not released an official statement about the meeting, but insiders say it may mark a turning point in Pope Leo’s broader efforts to confront the Church’s abuse legacy with transparency and compassion.
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