Protecting Children from Violence: Pope Welcomes Symposium Participants

Olga Sakun – Vatican City

Pope Francis welcomed the participants to the international online symposium on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The meeting was organized by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors with the assistance of several US academic institutions, as well as international organizations, including WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

His Holiness, according to a message signed by the Secretary of State of the Vatican, expresses the hope that, thanks to the contributions of religious leaders, students and professionals, including in the fields of pastoral work and medicine, the symposium will contribute to an increasing understanding of the severity of sexual crimes against minors and cooperation on all levels of society in the eradication of this evil.

The Pope’s message was read by one of the victims of sexual abuse.