Speaking on the final day of his first US trip Pope Francis used an address in Philadelphia to tell gathered bishops that 'God weeps' for the victims of clerical sexual abuse and those responsible will be 'punished'.
The Pope's comments came after he met with abuse victims and the day after he led a packed Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Pope Francis stopped his car to kiss and bless a disabled boy shortly after arriving in Philadelphia.
Michael Keating, 10, who suffers from cerebal palsy was waiting on the tarmac clutching his rosary beads when the Pope spotted him and ordered his vehicle to stop.
He walked over to the boy, put his hand on his head and kissed him as his mother looked on. His mother, Kristin Keating told reporters "it was an unbelievable feeling" that had left her son calm and happy.
The Pope later addressed a crowd of around 40,000 outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia before leading mass at the Cathedral Basillica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
The Pope will end his tour of the United States tomorrow.
Pope Francis' first US visit has sparked an unexpected craze among Americans - dressing dogs up in miniature versions of his papal garb.
A five-year-old girl managed to breach the Pope's security to deliver him an important letter.
Pope Francis is due to arrive in the US, but he will face a political test on Thursday when he addresses Congress.