Sex abuse: Irish PM urges action Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has asked visiting Pope Francis to take action to ensure justice to victims

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday urged Pope Francis to take action to ensure justice for abuse victims worldwide as the pontiff said he shared in the “pain and shame” during a historic visit to Ireland.

Varadkar, an openly gay leader and a symbol of Ireland’s liberalising culture, demanded from Pope Francis “that from words flow actions” for abuse victims in a strongly-worded speech.

Speaking to an audience in Dublin Castle alongside the pope, Varadkar said Ireland’s multiple historic scandals were “stains on our state, our society and also the Church.”

“Far too often there was judgement, severity and cruelty... people kept in dark corners, behind closed doors, cries for help that went unheard,” he added.