Irish bishops discuss abuse crisis and role of women in Church during meeting with Pope

Telling the bishops of Ireland that he wanted to hear their questions, concerns and even criticisms, Pope Francis spent almost two hours in conversation with them.

In the continuing evolution of the "ad limina" visits bishops are required to make to the Vatican, Pope Francis met on January 20 with 26 Irish bishops and set aside a practice that began with Benedict XVI: writing a speech to the group, but handing the text to them instead of reading it.

Pope Francis did, however, maintain his practice of sitting with the bishops and asking them what was on their minds.