Pope Francis has admitted to making "grave errors" in the handling of sexual abuse cases in Chile, where he refused to believe a bishop he appointed covered up child sex abuse. <br /> In an extraordinary public letter on Wednesday, the pontiff said he felt shame for not believing the victims and invited them to Rome so he could beg for their forgiveness. <br />He also summoned Chilean bishops to the Vatican for a crisis meeting slated for next month.<br />Pope Francis has been facing backlash from victims and activists for defending Bishop Juan Barros, a protege of Chile's worst paedophile priest, Reverend Fernando Karadima.<br />Barros is accused of covering up Karadima's sexual abuses, despite witnessing them. <br />
