Pope Francis met with five people abused by clergymen, family members, and teachers in Philadelphia on Sunday, The Washington Post reports. He called it "disturbing" that bishops were among the abusers and apologized to the survivors for their experiences.
"I have in my heart, the stories of suffering and pain of the minors who were sexually abused by priests," he said afterward. "And, it continues to overwhelm me with shame that the people who were charged with taking care of these tender ones violated that trust and caused them a profound pain. God weeps."
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Advocates have criticized Francis for focusing more on the bishops than the victims.
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