sex abuse

At the end of his four-day summit, Pope Francis called priests who had abused minors "instruments of Satan." But critics said his address did not offer a strong enough message against clergy abuse.

Theodore McCarrick rose to power as a cardinal and archbishop of Washington, D.C. He became the most senior Catholic Church official in modern times to lose clerical status.

Priests who sexually abuse children are like Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, Pope Francis told a gathering of cardinals on Friday.

It is the first national apology on behalf of the federal government since a major report published last year showed the problem was rampant in Australia's Catholic Church and other institutions.

Pope Francis said the failure to address abuse remains "a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community." His visit comes at a time when the church's influence is greatly diminished.

In the wake of the shocking revelations detailed in the Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy abuse, Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis has voluntarily opened church files for scrutiny.

Pope Francis questioned survivors' accounts and defended a Chilean bishop accused of a coverup. But the Vatican announced Tuesday that a top envoy will now look into survivors' claims.

Cardinal George Pell, a key adviser to Pope Francis, has been ordered to appear in a Melbourne court next month. The Archdiocese of Sydney says he will return from Rome to fight the charges.

Marie Collins, who was the only survivor of abuse active on the panel, said Pope Francis was sincere in establishing the panel — but that others in the Vatican have refused to cooperate.