Pope struggles to hold back tears as he meets sex abuse victims

LONDON - Pope Benedict XVI couldn’t control his tears as he met victims who had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of paedophile priests in Malta.

The Pope met eight men, who had been sexually abused by four priests at an orphanage in the inland.

The 20-minute meeting took place in private at the Papal Nuncio’s residence.

“It was a very emotional meeting. Everyone had tears in their eyes, even the Pope and the two bishops who were there,” the Daily Express quoted victim Lawrence Grech, a father of two, as saying.

Another victim Joseph Magro said: “The Pope said he would pray for me. It is still very difficult for me, but I’m now at peace with the church.”

The Vatican said the Pope “expressed his shame and sorrow” at what the victims had gone through and vowed to “bring to justice” the abusers.

Four priests have accused of sexually abusing orphan children in the 1980s and 1990s. (ANI)