Pope meets clerical sex abuse victims on last day in US

Pope Francis has met with victims of paedophile priests on the last day of his US visit yesterday, and promised to hold those responsible for the scandal accountable as he delivered a powerful warning to American bishops accused of covering up for abusers instead of reporting them to police.

The pontiff disclosed the gesture of reconciliation at the start of a meeting with US bishops gathered in Philadelphia. Francis praised the victims as “true heralds of mercy” who deserve the church’s gratitude, and said sex abuse in the church can no longer be kept a secret.

He promised to “zealously” protect young people and see that “all those responsible are held accountable”.