In a wide-ranging interview in Rome last month, the Pontiff said the church had "zero tolerance" for abuse and said that "a priest cannot remain a priest if he is an abuser".

"A priest cannot continue being a priest if he is an aggressor. He cannot because he is either sick or a criminal," he said.

The church's response to sex abuse scandals has become one of the defining themes of Francis' time as Pope. He said that every case of abuse within the church "hurts" him.

Multiple reports detailing decades of sexual abuse, systemic failures and cover-ups across multiple countries have been released since Francis became the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics in 2013.

While he has been criticised for some inaction, including defending a Chilean bishop accused of covering up a sex scandal in 2018, Francis has taken a firm stance on the issues and introduced some reforms.

In 2019, he abolished Vatican secrecy rules for cases of sexual abuse. He put in place new rules that made it mandatory for the first time for all dioceses to set up systems for reporting abuse and cover-ups.

Two years later, he issued the most extensive revision to Catholic Church law in four decades, insisting that bishops take action against clerics who abuse minors and vulnerable adults.

Addressing the topic of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Francis said he didn't believe celibacy played a role in causing the abuse.

"I don't deny the abuse. Even if it was only one [case], it is monstrous. Because you, priest, you, nun, have to take that boy, that girl to God, and with this, you destroy their lives. It's monstrous. It is destroying lives. And then they come to you with questions. Could it be that celibacy [is to blame]? It's not about celibacy," Pope Francis said.

Sources

CNN

The pope departed from a prepared speech during a meeting with the Order of the Mother of God, the Basilian Order of St Josephat and the Congregation of the Mission.

Francis spoke about the problem of the abuse of minors and vulnerable persons.

He strongly emphasised a policy of "zero tolerance" for such abuse.

"Please," he said, "do not hide this reality. Don't be ashamed to speak out".

The head of the Catholic Church said a problem of abuse "is not solved by a transfer. From this continent, I send him to another… No."

"We are religious; we are priests to bring people to Jesus," said the pontiff, adding that the abuser "destroys".

It is not enough to accompany the abuser, he told the religious. It is necessary to "protect others."

"Please remember this well: zero tolerance on abuse against children or disabled persons; zero tolerance."

Pope Francis said he interrupted his traditional July break from meetings to gather with the three orders because religious life "is so important in the church, but there isn't always time. Indeed, in this vacation holiday, it is usually closed. But for you, it has been opened".

The pontiff also expressed his concern about the danger of getting used to and "forgetting the Ukrainian drama" which, he lamented, is now on "page nine" of the newspaper.

Giving special recognition to the Basilian Fathers, an Eastern-Catholic order whose members work primarily in Ukraine and eastern Europe, the pope expressed his closeness with the congregation's members "in this moment of martyrdom for your homeland".

"I would like to tell you that I am close to you, the whole church is close to all of you," the pope said. "We accompany you as we can in your pain."

Sources

• America Magazine
• Aleteia