PHILADELPHIA (PA)
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Sep. 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA
For only the second time in his two-and-a-half year papacy, Pope Francis has met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse during his trip to the U.S. and has told them he is “profoundly sorry” for their suffering.
The Vatican announced the meeting in a brief press bulletin Sunday, saying Francis had met with five survivors of abuse that morning while staying at the St. Charles Borromeo seminary in Philadelphia.
The pontiff met with the survivors as a group and then one-by-one, praying with them and promising a renewed commitment to prevent abuse and provide accountability for those who covered up crimes, the Vatican said.
“Words cannot express my sorrow for the abuse you suffered,” the pope told the survivors, according a text of his remarks for the meeting released by the U.S. bishops’ conference.
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