Pope Francis presides over a vigil, ahead of the Synod of bishops, at Saint Peter's church at the Vatican, October 1, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.
The ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica featured testimony from an abuse survivor, who told hundreds of bishops in attendance that the abuse scandals "have shaken the faith of millions (and) tarnished the reputation of an institution that many look to for guidance".
