The pope acknowledged he had “hurt” people by suggesting there was no “proof” against Juan Barros, who is accused of covering up another priest’s abuse of boys. “The day they bring me proof against Bishop Barros, then I will speak. The pope also shocked many by giving Barros a hug during his visit. “I have to present my apologies because the word ‘proof’ has hurt so many victims of abuse,” Francis said at a press conference on the flight back to Rome. “To hear the pope tell them to their faces, ‘bring me a letter with the proof’, it’s a slap and I realise now that my expression was unfortunate,” he said.

Source: The Guardian January 22, 2018 16:07 UTC