Pope asks sex abuse victims for forgiveness

Pope Francis has said he takes personal responsibility for the “evil” of priests who raped and molested children, asking forgiveness from victims and saying the Church must be even bolder in its efforts to protect the young.

It was the first time a pope has taken personal responsibility for the sex crimes of his priests and begged forgiveness.

Francis made the off-the-cuff remarks after coming under criticism from victims’ advocacy groups for a perceived lack of attention to the abuse scandal and continuing demands that he sanction bishops who covered up for paedophiles.