Pope Francis asks forgiveness for child sex abuse by priests

Vatican City: PPope Francis on Friday personally asked forgiveness for child sex abuse by priests during a meeting with members of a Catholic children's charity in his first gesture of this kind, Vatican Radio reported.

In quotes carried by Vatican Radio, he described the abuse as a "moral damage carried out by men of the Church", and said "sanctions" would be imposed.

"I feel compelled... to personally ask for forgiveness for the damage they have done for having sexually abused children," the Pope was quoted as saying.

It is being described as his strongest statement on the issue so far.

The Pope set up a committee last year to organise help for victims of clerical sexual abuse but has been accused by some Catholics of dragging his feet in acknowledging the extent of the moral and mental damage caused by paedophile priests, the BBC's David Willey reports from Rome.