From the New York Times

“I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I, too, share in their suffering,” he said.

But victims’ groups criticized him for not meeting the victims face to face.

Cardinal Pell, speaking to the media after the left, said that Monday’s Mass was not a response to the criticism.

“This had been organized over a number of weeks,” he said, adding that the group had been chosen by the Professional Standards Office, which was set up to coordinate the Australian Catholic Church’s Towards Healing program, which is addressing the issue of sexual abuse.

Chris MacIsaac, the president of Broken Rites, a support group for victims of sexual abuse said the victims were still not satisfied.

“I rejoice with these victims to got to go to Mass with the pope, but I feel heartfelt sorrow for all those others who still feel they are outside the church,” she said in a telephone interview.

She said she was suspicious that the group that attended Mass with the pope had been selected because they had not spoken out publicly and added that she believed the church was unwilling to engage with those who went public with their complaints.

“The main reason they have been ostracized is that they have chosen to speak out,” she said.