Pro Bono: U2 Sstar says Pope Francis ‘aghast’ at sex abuse by priests

A woman uses her smartphone to record U2 rock band frontman Bono talking to reporters at a press conference he held at the end of a private meeting with Pope Francis, at the Vatican

The Irish singer said that during the private audience Pope Francis was “aghast” on hearing about sex abuse in the Catholic Church.

Bono said he had told Pope Francis that it appeared to some people that abusers are more protected than victims. He said: “You can see the pain in his face, and I felt he was sincere.”

The singer said he had raised the issue following the Pope’s recent visit to Ireland amid claims of paedophile priests and systematic abuse coverups.