Pope Francis Says He Hopes Sex Abuse Scandals Will Never Be Repeated

Pope Francis on Wednesday addressed the child sex-abuse scandal that rocked the U.S. Roman Catholic Church, saying that he hoped it would never be repeated. Speaking in Italian to U.S. bishops, the pontiff said he was aware of how the pain of recent years had weighed on the church's spirit. He said he was joining the effort to bring succor to victims. "When we bring succor, then the victims are healed, and we have to hope that such crimes will never repeat themselves," Francis said. A church official told CNN that the pope would meet privately with victims of abuse in Philadelphia during his visit.