Pope Benedict XVI met with victims of clerical sexual abuse this morning in a gesture of reparation before leaving Australia.

The Holy Father celebrated Mass with a representative group of those who had been abused by members of the clergy “as an expression of his ongoing pastoral concern”. Although there are no reports of the private meeting that went on between the Pope and the victims afterwards, the Vatican issued a statement which said that Benedict XVI had “listened to their stories and offered them consolation”.

It said: “Assuring them of his spiritual closeness, he promised to continue to pray for them, their families and all victims. Through this paternal gesture, the Holy Father wished to demonstrate again his deep concern for all those who have suffered sexual abuse.”

During a Mass for seminarians and young religious the Pope gave a public and forthright apology for the sexual abuse, expressing sorrow and condemnation and describing it as evil.

His meeting this morning with the victims was planned for the end of the papal visit to Australia in order not to overshadow the World Youth Day events, but criticism over the Church’s handling of the sexual abuse cases has predominated the mainstream media’s coverage of the celebrations