Pope Francis has met with five adults in the US who were abused by Catholic clergy when they were children.

On the final day of his US visit he vowed those responsible for sex abuse within the Church will face justice.

Speaking to clergy in Philadelphia's St Charles Borromeo seminary, he spoke apologised for the crimes committed against children:

“I hold the stories and the suffering and the sorry of children who were sexually abused by priests deep in my heart.

“I remain overwhelmed with shame that men entrusted with the tender care of children violated these little ones and caused grievous harm. I am profoundly sorry. God weeps.”

“The crimes and sins of the sexual abuse of children must no longer be held in secret. I pledge the zealous vigilance of the church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all.”

According to the Guardian Pope Francis has apologised previously, but has never met victims of sexual abuse outside of Rome. He spoke with each of the five victims - three female and two male - as a group and also individually

“He then prayed with them and expressed his solidarity in sharing their suffering, as well as his own pain and shame especially in the case of injury caused them by clergy or church workers,” said director of the Holy See press office Fr Federico Lombardi.

“The pope thanked the victims for their essential contribution to restore the truth and begin the journey of healing. The meeting lasted about half an hour and ended with the blessing of the Holy Father,” he added.

However, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has been critical of the Pope's stance:

“An innovator in other ways, this pope is a throwback on sexual violence. He talks and acts like the church hierarchy is the real victim in this crisis.

“He seems humble and preaches “service” but like so many other clerics, Francis seems to put church officials above the rest of us.”

The Pope's visit is to conclude today with a mass in Philadelphia which is expected to draw one million attendees.