Pope Francis will meet with sex abuse victims

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pope Francis not only made headlines during his trip to the Middle East — referring to the State of Palestine, laying a wreath at the grave of Zionism's founder, and inviting Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the Vatican to talk peace — but also on the flight back to Rome from Israel.

The pope told reporters on his plane that he is meeting with victims of clergy sexual abuse in early June and that three bishops are under investigation involving sex abuse (presumably either for abusing children or aiding in a cover-up). A priest who sexually violates a child is also abusing God, the pope said. "On this issue we must go forward, forward. Zero tolerance." The meeting with abuse victims is being set up by Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.