Survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members have voiced renewed optimism following a groundbreaking meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The encounter, described as ‘historic’ by Gemma Hickey, board president of End Clergy Abuse (ECA Global), marked a significant moment in the ongoing fight against systemic abuse within the Church. Hickey, who uses they/them pronouns, emphasized the symbolic importance of the Pope meeting with survivors so early in his papacy, calling it a ‘big step’ for all involved. The group is advocating for a global zero-tolerance policy, which would permanently remove any priest who admits to or is proven to have sexually abused a child. While such a policy has been adopted in the U.S., Hickey acknowledged that resistance persists in other regions. Pope Leo, who assumed his role in May, inherited this deeply entrenched issue that has plagued the Catholic Church for decades. His predecessor, Pope Francis, made strides by convening an unprecedented summit on clergy abuse and revising Church laws to explicitly criminalize such acts. However, challenges remain, as highlighted by a recent Vatican-commissioned report that criticized Church leaders for a lack of accountability and transparency. During the hour-long meeting, which far exceeded its scheduled 20 minutes, Pope Leo listened empathetically to survivors’ stories, including that of a woman abused at a Catholic residential school for Indigenous children in Canada. Hickey described the Pope as ‘humble, funny, and down to earth,’ expressing confidence in his genuine commitment to collaboration. The ECA Global delegation, representing survivors from over 30 countries, presented documents and proposals aimed at reforming canon law to enforce a zero-tolerance policy worldwide. Hickey noted that the Pope seemed ‘interested’ in their recommendations, fostering hope for meaningful change. While acknowledging that progress will take time, Hickey emphasized the importance of building a relationship with the Vatican to ensure accountability and justice for survivors. ‘We can change how the story ends,’ Hickey told the Pope, a sentiment he reportedly appreciated. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to addressing this dark chapter in the Church’s history and working toward a safer future.