Pope Francis regularly meets with victims of sexual abuse, to listen and to try to help them heal from their serious wounds.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, confirmed this today, Feb. 15, 2018, in a statement, responding to inquiries of journalists.
Burke explained that the Pope meets these victims both individually and in groups, a couple times a month.
“Pope Francis,” he explained, “listens to the victims and tries to help heal the serious wounds caused by the abuse they have suffered.”
He noted that the encounters take place in “utmost privacy,” out of respect for the victims and their suffering.
Below is the text of the Vatican spokesman’s declaration:
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In response to questions from journalists, I am able to confirm that several times a month, the Holy Father meets with victims of sexual abuse, both individually and in groups. Pope Francis listens to the victims and tries to help heal the serious wounds caused by the abuse they have suffered. The encounters take place in the utmost privacy, out of respect for the victims and their suffering.
