Valletta, Malta, Apr 18, 2010 / 12:52 pm
During a meeting with sexual abuse victims while on his apostolic visit to Malta this weekend, the Holy Father expressed his “shame and sorrow.” He underscored the Church's commitment to justice for victims and prayed for healing.
The victims expressed their feelings of "peace" after the encounter.
Pope Benedict met with eight victims of sexual abuse in Malta's Apostolic Nunciature in Rabat after Mass in the Granaries Square Sunday morning.
A statement from the Vatican reported that the Holy Father was "deeply moved" upon hearing the victims' stories. Expressing his "shame and sorrow" for the suffering caused to them and their families, he prayed with them, asking that they would be experience healing and reconciliation and be able to look to the future with renewed hope.