Pope Francis has said that all those who are responsible for the sexual abuse of youth by clergy will be held accountable, saying: “God weeps for sexual abuse of children.”
Pope Francis, who spoke today during a meeting with bishops in Philadelphia, the United States of America, vowed that he would ensure that youth are protected.
“The people who had the responsibility to take care of these tender ones violated that trust and caused them great pain.”
Earlier today, the Pope had met with victims of clergy sexual abuse, Bishop Edward Burns said via his Twitter account.
“I have heard in my heart these stories of suffering of those youth that were sexually abused, and it continues to be on my mind,” Francis told the bishops.
“Those who have survived this abuse have become true heralds of mercy. Humbly we owe each of them our gratitude for their great value, as they have had to suffer terrible abuse, sexual abuse of minors,” he said. [myad]