Francis pledges clergy and bishops abusing children will be held accountable

The rare criticism that did Pope Francis elicit was the omission – from his public agenda at least – of a meeting with victims of pedophile priests, but on Sunday he met privately with five adults abused as children.

Speaking of cover-ups of clerical abuse of minors, Francis said for the first time, specifically, that even some bishops are guilty.

The leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics urged Americans in a historic speech to Congress on Thursday to reject “a mindset of hostility” toward immigrants.

“Sexual abuse is everywhere”, the pontiff told reporters on his flight back to Rome.

“I can say that freedom of conscience is a right, it is a human right”, Francis said.

“This land has been blessed with tremendous gifts and opportunities”, the pope said.

Francis criticized those who attempted to comfort victims by saying, “Don’t worry that was nothing”, and said abusers who were unrepentant would be judged by God.

The pope visited Philadelphia as part of the World Meeting of Families.

Now, check out which celebrities were freaking out over the pope’s visit.

Clergy and bishops abusing children would be held accountable, he said.

“I was looking stuff up about Pope Francis and I saw a picture at the Vatican where another baby had dressed up like that Pope and I said: ‘Oh, I think Quinn would be ideal for this, ‘” she said.

Pope Francis may have never visited the United States before last week, but the pontiff certainly looked and sounded as if he belonged here. “I pray that our days of prayer and reflection on the importance of the family for a healthy society will inspire families to continue to strive for holiness and to see the church as their constant companion, whatever the challenges they may face”.

“I met people from South America, Asia and it’s been great”, Brighter said while at the Papal Mass. “I’ve heard about the World Meeting of Families for many years”.

In his in-flight press conference, Francis recalled being told by a woman, in another meeting with victims, that her mother “cursed God and died an atheist” after discovering what had been done to her daughter. He comes to save us from the lie that says no one can change. As Daniel told Philly’s ABC 6, Pope Francis wanted the parents to know that he thought they had a great sense of humor.

But on Sunday, the Pope used his platform to warn people about how social media is changing our attitude towards friendship.

Pope Francis’ attention to the humanity of every person makes him a role model for all of us, regardless of religious affiliation – or lack thereof.