Overview
- The pope held a private, hour-long audience at the Apostolic Palace with six leaders of Ending Clergy Abuse from Argentina, Canada, Germany, Uganda and the United States.
- Participants urged a universal zero‑tolerance rule modeled on U.S. church law that permanently removes clergy found to have committed a single act of sexual abuse of a minor.
- Survivor advocates said Pope Leo acknowledged significant resistance to a universal law in parts of the world and agreed to keep an open channel for ongoing talks.
- The Vatican confirmed the meeting but announced no policy changes, with ECA planning to submit a formal zero‑tolerance proposal and seek regular follow‑ups.
- The encounter marked Pope Leo’s first official meeting with an advocacy coalition since his election and, according to participants, a shift from prior papal practice of engaging only individual victims.