Francis acknowledged the corrections system can often be dehumanizing, and “not concerned to care for wounds, to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities”.
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His comments capped off a six-day US visit that saw hundreds of thousands of people wait for hours in the streets for a fleeting glimpse of the pontiff dubbed “the people’s pope“.
And for many others, it’s the teachings from Pope Francis that they will remember the most, from his words and his example.
In his public remarks, Pope Francis said “God weeps” for the victims, emphasizing that clergy members who commit crimes will be held responsible for their actions. Referring to a victim whose mother lost her faith on learning her daughter had been sexually abused by a cleric, the pope said he understood such a reaction. “Even a few bishops who covered this up, it is a awful thing”, the pope said, quoted by Vatican Radio.
The synod comes two months after the Pope said divorced people who have remarried “are still part of the Church” and should not be treated as if they have been excommunicated or cast out.
“I felt the need to express compassion because something really awful happened”, he said in reference to the September 23 speech, explaining that numerous bishops who suffered “did not know of this”. “Clergy and bishops will be held accountable when they abuse or fail to protect children”.
“I think he’s different, I grew up with John Paul II, it’s like, he was more conservative and Pope Francis is not as conservative, it’s a different feeling”, said Joe David, of Dyer, Ind., who planned the trip with his family for months.
“We’re still here; we feel the atmosphere”, said youth leader Kelley McConnell of St. Eulalia Parish in Roaring Brook Township.
Later Sunday evening, Vice President Biden led the farewell delegation for Pope Francis, as his plane departed the US for the return flight to Vatican City.
On his last day in the USA on Sunday, Francis met with five survivors of sexual abuse. He asked the driver to stop and for one of his security aides to bring the boy to him while laughing heartily at the sight, according to 6ABC.
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After encouraging a group of prisoners to get their lives back on track, Pope Francis walked through the gym of Philadelphia’s largest jail and shook the hands of each of the men and women individually earlier Sunday.
