Pope Francis has pleaded for forgiveness from the victims of sexual abuse by priests, saying the Catholic Church “must weep and make reparations”.

At his first meeting with victims since his election as pontiff last year, Francis also condemned the Church’s complicity in hiding the crimes.

“I express my sorrow for the sins, the serious crimes of sexual abuses committed by clergy against you. I humbly apologise. Also I ask forgiveness for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders,” Pope Francis said at the meeting.

The pope met six victims, two each from Britain, Ireland and Germany.

The Church has faced a series of sexual abuse scandals worldwide. For some of the victims, Francis’ meeting is considered too little, too late.

“The pope has come under a bit of criticism for waiting so long, almost sixteen months since his election, before meeting with sexual abuse victims. The Argentine victims are particularly upset because they were not included in this group [of victims w