Pope Francis Personally Called A Spanish Sex Abuse Victim

Pope Francis Personally Called A Spanish Sex Abuse Victim
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - NOVEMBER 26: Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives on popemobile in St. Peter's Square for his weekly audience on November 26, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. During today's General Audience Pope Francis told pilgrims the Church is on a continuing journey towards heaven. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - NOVEMBER 26: Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives on popemobile in St. Peter's Square for his weekly audience on November 26, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. During today's General Audience Pope Francis told pilgrims the Church is on a continuing journey towards heaven. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

ROME (AP) - Pope Francis says he personally called a Spaniard who said he was sexually abused by a priest and urged him to report it to the diocese.

Three priests and a layman were arrested Monday in connection with the case in the southern city of Granada.

Francis, speaking to reporters while returning home from Strasbourg on Tuesday, says he received a letter from the alleged victim and then phoned him, telling him to go to the Granada diocese in person to report the abuse that took place about 10 years ago. Francis says he wrote to the bishop and urged him to launch an investigation.

The pope says the case is causing him "great pain ... But the truth is the truth and we can't hide it."

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