Overview
- The Vatican Press Office said the roughly one-hour audience included six survivors affiliated with the Ending Clergy Abuse network.
- ECA presented its Zero Tolerance initiative urging coherent global standards and survivor-centered policies for safeguarding.
- The audience was arranged after ECA sent a letter requesting a meeting, which Pope Leone XIV accepted.
- The Pontifical Commission’s Oct. 16 annual report flagged delays in some dioceses and identified Italy as a critical case, drawing a defensive response from the Italian bishops’ conference.
- Participants such as Gemma Hickey said survivors felt heard, while Italian advocate Francesco Zanardi criticized the lack of involvement of Italian victims.