As the Vatican gears up for a new papal election, survivors of sexual abuse by clergy are making their voices heard. In Rome, various groups have converged to push for necessary changes that will address the long-standing crisis faced by the Roman Catholic Church. They are demanding that the newly elected pope take immediate steps to end clerical abuse.

Peter Isely from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) stated that they want to collaborate with the new pontiff to implement effective solutions. SNAP recently introduced a website aimed at tracking how cardinals have handled credible allegations of abuse, indicating that many in the Church's hierarchy bear responsibility.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni emphasized that the issue of sexual abuse was discussed among the cardinals before the conclave, recognizing it as a critical concern that requires ongoing attention. SNAP has also laid out a detailed plan highlighting the actions they believe the new pope should take within the first 100 days of his papacy, aiming to facilitate healing and accountability in the Church.

The pressure is mounting for the next pope to tackle these pivotal issues head-on, with the hope of restoring faith within the community.