International Pope Leo XIV meets victims of abuse at the Vatican
For the first time in his role as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has met with representatives of an organization of abuse victims.
20.10.2025, 16:43
SDA
The Pontiff received the international victims' initiative Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) at the Vatican, as announced by the Holy See. The organization called the meeting historic. "Survivors have long asked for a place at the table. Today we felt heard," it said in a statement.
The Catholic Church has been rocked by abuse scandals for decades. At the beginning of his pontificate, Leo - the first US-American to sit on the Chair of Peter - had already called for his church to adopt a "culture of prevention" that would not allow any form of abuse. He also recently appointed a new head of the Pontifical Commission against Sexual Abuse by Clergy. This was set up by his predecessor Francis in 2014.
ECA Chair Gemma Hickey described the meeting with Leo as a "deeply meaningful conversation". It reflected a "shared commitment to justice, healing and real change", said Hickey. Leo himself had invited the representatives following a letter from the organization.
They now hope to work with the Pope to find ways to better protect children and vulnerable adults worldwide. The Catholic Church has a moral responsibility to support survivors of abuse and prevent future suffering.
According to those affected, they are therefore convinced that cooperation to prevent abuse in the Church is both possible and necessary.
