Francis says he will continue 'in the line' of Benedict on child abuse

VATICAN CITY, April 5 (UPI) -- Pope Francis said Friday he plans to follow former Pope Benedict XVI's stances on child sex abuse cases in the Catholic Church, the Vatican press office said.

Francis' comments came during a meeting with Monsignor Gerhard Ludwig Muller, who is in charge of the pedophilia issues in his position as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

The pope said he would "continue in the line wanted by Benedict XVI" on issues of child sex abuse in the church.

The Vatican press office explained Francis' comments in a statement: "Acting with decision as regards cases of sexual abuse, promoting above all measures of protection of minors, help for those who suffered such violence in the past, [taking] the dutiful procedures against the guilty parties, the commitment of the [national] bishops conferences to formulate and implement the necessary directives in this field, which is so important for the church's witness and its credibility."

The statement added the pope "assures that those who have suffered abuse are particularly present in his attention and his prayers."

Meanwhile, the pope also warned against magicians and tarot cards during mass Friday, ANSA said.