WASHINGTON (DC)
Washington Post
By Abby Ohlheiser, Greg Jaffe, Michael E. Ruane September 23
Pope Francis did not shy away from controversy Wednesday, condemning priestly sex abuse, mistreatment of immigrants and destruction of the environment, as he traveled across Washington in his first full day in the United States.
He was also greeted by jubilant crowds, kissed some babies, and dispensed blessings and thumbs up from the popemobile.
But in somber midday remarks to American bishops, he said the offenses of the Catholic church’s sex abuse scandal must never be repeated.
Addressing hundreds of clergymen in Washington’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, the pope told them:
“I realize how much the pain of recent years has weighed upon you and I have supported your generous commitment to bring healing to victims — in the knowledge that in healing we too are healed — and to work to ensure that such crimes will never be repeated.”
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