When the pope speaks, his millions of followers listen — apparently even when those conversations take place in private.

This weekend, clerical abuse survivor and gay rights activist Juan Carlos Cruz revealed that in a conversation with the pope several weeks ago, Pope Francis reportedly told Cruz, who is gay, that, “God made you like this.” 

“[The pope] said, 'Look Juan Carlos, the pope loves you this way. God made you like this and he loves you,” Cruz told AP. 

Take Action: Tell World Leaders to Redouble Their Efforts By Amending Laws to Prevent Sexual Violence

In their two-and-a-half hour meeting, he also asked for Cruz’s forgiveness for the abuse he suffered at the hands of Chilean priest Fernando Karadima when Cruz was an adolescent. 

"He said, 'Juan Carlos, the first thing I want to do is apologize for what happened to you and apologize in the name of the pope, and in the name of the universal church,'” Cruz said in an interview with NPR earlier this month.

I spoke for more than two and a half hours alone with Pope Francis. He listened to me with great respect, affection and closeness, like a father. We talked about many subjects. Today I have more hope in the future of our church... Even though the task is enormous.

— Juan Carlos Cruz Ch. (@jccruzchellew) April 29, 2018

The Vatican responded to Cruz’s statement on Monday, saying: “We don’t normally comment on the pope’s private conversations.” 

Read More: Pope Francis Just Gave Free Gelato to 3,000 of Rome’s Homeless

While the pope hasn’t come out with any public statements on the topic since his conversation with Cruz, the conversation could be potentially groundbreaking in a religion that has had a contentious relationship with the gay rights movement and homosexuality more generally, and that still does not recognize same-sex marriage.  

Francis' recent statement wasn’t the first he has made — publicly or privately — that hinted at acceptance of the LGBTQ community. 

In 2013, during a press conference on a plane, Francis told reporters that, "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with goodwill, who am I to judge?” — sparking both praise and criticism worldwide.

Later, in an interview with America Magazine, the pope spoke out again in support of the LGBTQ community: “Tell me: When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person,” he said.  

In the wake of the Catholic Church’s latest abuse scandal, some have urged the pope to do more to support the LGBTQ community. 

Read More: 7 Times Pope Francis Proved to Be a True Global Citizen

“It would do a lot better if he would make these statements publicly, because LGBT people need to hear that message from religious leaders, from Catholic leaders," Francis DeBernardo, executive director of LGBTQ-positive Catholic organization New Ways Ministry, told ABC News. 

Others praised the Pope for rebuking established church norms: 

Pope Francis's remarkable embrace of a gay man: “He told me, ‘Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like this and loves you like this and I don’t care. The pope loves you like this. You have to be happy with who you are.’” #LGBThttps://t.co/Jt8fvKuJGvpic.twitter.com/2tOyXkbei4

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) May 20, 2018

I love Pope Francis. The Catholic Church is massive and international, it includes many different cultures and traditions around the world so social progress is slow moving, but it is happening. https://t.co/IhqwRC8s1I

— Caterina Scorsone (@caterinatweets) May 21, 2018

Pope Francis did the most radical thing. He told a young, #gay, sex abuse survivor, ‘God made you like this....be happy with who you are.’ Jesus taught @Pontifex love is only power worth having. (Read Building a Bridge by @JamesMartinSJ)https://t.co/1okpcyZyWd

— Mary Karr, Author (@marykarrlit) May 20, 2018

NB: One reason the Pope Francis's comments about "God made you that way" to @jccruzchellew, a gay man, are important is this: The original version of the "Catechism" included the phrase "They do not choose their homosexual condition." The 1998 version deleted that phrase. pic.twitter.com/gbi3ov5og1

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 21, 2018

Global Citizen campaigns on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, and reduced inequalities — including the “social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status” — is goal number 10. You can join us and take action here.