Pope begs forgiveness for ‘scandals’ hitting Rome, Vatican

VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Francis is asking forgiveness for recent scandals that have hit Rome and the Vatican.
The pope didn’t cite specific examples in his off-the-cuff request for pardon at the start of yesterday’s general audience, but the past week has seen its share of problems.
On the eve of Francis’ big meeting on the family, a Vatican monsignor came out as gay. Then Rome’s mayor resigned amid scandal and criticism by the church. And recently, a leaked letter revealed grave concerns by a dozen cardinals about the way Francis’ synod was being run.
Francis said: “I want in the name of the church to ask forgiveness for the scandals which recently have hit Rome and the Vatican. I ask forgiveness.” The pope added, “Jesus is a realist, and he says that it is inevitable that scandals happen, but woe to the man who causes such scandals.”