In a private meeting Thursday afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI addressed victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in what is believed to be the first-ever meeting between a pontiff and clergy sex abuse victims.
According to papal spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi, a small group of clergy sex abuse victims from the
Lombardi said the pope told victims he would pray for them, their families and all victims of clergy sex abuse.
For some of the victims, it was a pastoral session with the Holy Father. For others, it was an opportunity to demand more accountability and action from the head of the Catholic Church, which has been criticized for its slow response to the clergy sex abuse scandal.
More than 46,000 attended a huge open-air Mass where Pope Benedict urged Catholic parishioners to do what they can to heal the wounds caused by the clergy sex abuse scandal.
