Francis Meets Sex Abuse Survivors: 'God Weeps'

Pontiff vows oversight, says guilty will be punished
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 27, 2015 8:44 AM CDT
Francis Meets Sex Abuse Survivors: 'God Weeps'
Clouds are lit by the rising sun over St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. Pope Francis is to celebrate Sunday mass.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Wrapping up his American tour, Pope Francis says he has met with victims of clergy sexual abuse, saying succinctly in what the Washington Post characterizes as off-the-cuff remarks that "God weeps." Speaking today before seminarians and bishops in Philadelphia, Francis vowed "careful oversight" to prevent future abuse and to make sure that "all responsible will be held accountable."

"Those who have survived have become true heralds of mercy. Humbly we owe each of them our gratitude for their courage. And they have had to suffer terrible abuse, sexual abuse of minors. I say this I would like to express my gratitude to the archbishop and I felt it very important that I share this message with you today." He's expected to visit a prison and then celebrate a final Mass today in the City of Brotherly Love; a million people are expected, notes the AP. (More Pope Francis stories.)

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