"The Church cannot try to hide the tragedy of abuse, of whatever kind."
The Pope says this in the video with the prayer intention for the month of March released through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network on the theme "For victims of abuse".
"Let us pray for those who suffer because of the evil received from members of the ecclesial community: that they may find in the Church itself a concrete response to their pain and suffering", is Francis' appeal.
"When faced with abuses, especially those committed by members of the Church, it is not enough to ask for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness is necessary, but it is not enough".
The Pope says in the video in which he invites us to pray for the victims.
"Asking for forgiveness - explains Pope Francis - is a good thing towards the victims, but they are the ones who must be 'at the center' of everything. Their pain and their psychological damage can begin to heal if they find answers: concrete actions, to repair to the horrors they have suffered and to prevent them from happening again".
"The Church cannot try to hide the tragedy of abuse, of whatever kind. Abuses in the family, in clubs, in other types of institutions should not be hidden either. The Church must be an example to help resolve them and to bring them to light, in society and in families. It is the Church that must offer safe spaces to listen to the victims, accompany them psychologically and protect them", concludes Pope Francis.