Pope Francis penned requests for forgiveness, which were read by the most influential clerics at the Vatican, listing the church’s sins against peace, against the poor, the environment, women, abuse survivors and young people. They also asked forgiveness for using doctrine as a tool of exclusion and not welcoming dialogue.

Pope Francis on Sunday wrapped up a weekend trip to Belgium, where he faced some of the strongest criticism yet levied during one of his foreign trips. The 87-year-old pontiff was pressed by high-profile figures at three of the five major events on his three-day visit in unusual and sometimes fierce language for a papal trip.

On Saturday, Pope Francis acknowledged that the abuse scandal had created "atrocious suffering and wounds," and undermined the faith.

We are only allowed to look down on a person to help them get up,’ Pope Francis told young people at the penitential ceremony.

Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.