Overview

• The pope held an hour-long audience in Rome on Oct. 20 with representatives of Ending Clergy Abuse, marking his first direct meeting with survivors.
• The coalition said six survivors from several countries attended and described the exchange as a significant dialogue that exceeded the time initially allotted.
• Participants pressed for a universal zero-tolerance policy across the global Church, while the pope acknowledged resistance in some regions and agreed to keep a channel open.
• No new policies or sanctions were announced, and the Vatican confirmed the audience without disclosing details of the discussion.
• The meeting came days after the Vatican’s Commission for the Protection of Minors faulted senior bishops for lack of transparency and after the Holy See admitted it has been failing victims.