Pope calls for concrete measures on pedophilia

(ANSA) - Vatican City, February 21 - Pope Francis called for Church officials from around the world to deliver measures to combat cases of sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy as he opened an important four-day meeting on the protection of minors in the Vatican on Thursday. "The holy people of God are watching us and they do not expect simple, predictable condemnation from us, but concrete and effective measures," the Argentine pontiff said.
    "Concreteness is needed. "I ask the Holy Spirit to support us over the coming days and help us turn this evil into an opportunity for awareness and purification.
    "May the Virgin Mary illuminate us to seek to heal the serious injuries that the scandal of pedophilia has caused, both among the little ones and among the faithful... listen to the cry of the little ones asking for justice".