VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis spoke out about sexual abuse of children in the Church during an audience with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Thursday, the Vatican said.

 The pontiff focused on the need for safeguarding in the church and that the abuse scandals must be confronted. Speaking to members of a special commission for protection of minors, he said that “commitment must not wane” in the face of the “challenge of restoring the fabric of broken lives and of healing pain.”

 The pope addressed the need to “listen directly” to victims of abuse and show “closeness” through “listening, intervening, preventing and assisting.” He added that Church authorities must “acknowledge firsthand the impact of abuse” and “welcome and listen” to victims.

 Reminding the commission that the Church is a “place where everyone can feel at home”, the pontiff closed his speech with a guarantee that “the Church will continue to be fully committed to the prevention of abuse, its firm condemnation [and] the provision of compassionate care for victims.”

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