Pope Francis meets Catholics sexually abused by clergy

Pope Francis has held his first meeting with a group of Catholics who were sexually abused by clergy

Vatican City: Pope Francis has held his first meeting with a group of Catholics who were sexually abused by clergy.

Vatican spokesman the Rev Federico Lombardi said two Irish, two British and two German victims met separately today for about 30 minutes apiece with Francis at the pope's Vatican hotel. None of the victims attended Lombardi's briefing with reporters.

Lombardi said Francis had already greeted the six yesterday evening at dinner. Other abuse survivors not at the meeting contended the encounter won't ease complaints that the Vatican has failed to punish bishops and other prelates who systemically covered up the abuse of minors.

A German survivor advocacy spokesman, Norbert Denef, called today's meeting "nothing more than a PR event." Before Francis, Pope Benedict met several times with abuse victims, starting in 2008.

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