Pope Francis apologises for clerical sexual abuse in Chile

Santiago [Chile], Jan 17 (ANI): Pope Francis has apologised for 'irreparable damage' done to children who were raped and molested by priests in Chile.

According to the Deutsche Welle, on his first day of a week-long Latin-America trip, Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed his "pain and shame" for the "damage" caused by priests who sexually abused children in the country.

He said the Catholic Church was committed to "ensuring that such things don't happen again."

Pope Francis also met with the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at La Moneda Palace.

Pope's apology comes at a time when attacks on the Catholic churches in Chile have increased significantly over the past week.

Addressing lawmakers, judges and other authorities later, the pope said he felt "bound to express my pain and shame" that some of Chile's clergy had sexually abused children who were in their care.

"I am one with my brother bishops, for it is right to ask forgiveness and make every effort to support the victims, even as we commit ourselves to ensuring that such things do not happen again," he said. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI