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Pope begs forgiveness for 'betrayal' by Catholic clergy over sexual abuse claims

Pope Francis speaks during the Festival of Families at Croke Park during his visit to Dublin, Ireland. [Reuters]

Pope Francis on Sunday asked for forgiveness for the “scandal and betrayal” felt by victims of sexual exploitation by Catholic clergy as he continued his tour of Ireland where years of abuse scandals have shattered the Church’s former dominance.

On the first papal visit to Ireland in almost four decades, Francis privately met with eight victims of clerical, religious and institutional abuse on Saturday and said he would seek a greater commitment to eliminating this “scourge”.

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