Pope Francis has admitted to making "grave errors" in the handling of sexual abuse cases in Chile, where he refused to believe a bishop he appointed covered up child sex abuse.
In an extraordinary public letter on Wednesday, the pontiff said he felt shame for not believing the victims and invited them to Rome so he could beg for their forgiveness.
He also summoned Chilean bishops to the Vatican for a crisis meeting slated for next month.
Pope Francis has been facing backlash from victims and activists for defending Bishop Juan Barros, a protege of Chile's worst paedophile priest, Reverend Fernando Karadima.
Barros is accused of covering up Karadima's sexual abuses, despite witnessing them.