In an extraordinary response to a widening sexual abuse crisis, Chilean bishops will arrive in Rome this weekend to participate in a summit called by Pope Francis, May 14 through 17.

“Never forget that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a lay person and his first disciple.”

A Vatican source explained that whenever the pope is invited to such a large public event he does not see the guest list in advance nor is the list checked by Vatican officials, as they trust the organizers of these gatherings to act in a responsible way.

The pope met with three victims of Chile’s most notorious predator priest, Father Fernando Karadima

Cardinal George Pell is set to stand trial on charges of sexual abuse that go back decades.

The three Chilean victims of abuse have each commented positively on their personal encounters with Pope Francis over the weekend.

The pope is praying especially for peace in Syria, Nigeria and the Koreas.

The pope will first meet each of the victims individually, one or more times, and then as a group.

On May 1, Cardinal George Pell will know whether he has to stand trial to face allegations of historical sexual offenses or not.

All three were victims of the infamous Chilean priest predator, the Rev. Ferdinando Karadima, who was found guilty of abuse of minors by the Vatican.