Pope Francis has called for a policy of "decisive action" over cases of clerical abuse, according to a Vatican communiqué. At a meeting today the Pope asked Archbishop Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to "continue the line desired by Benedict XVI... primarily by promoting measures for child protection; help for the many who in the past have suffered such violence; due process against those who are guilty; the commitment of bishops' conferences in the formulation and implementation of the necessary directives in this area which is of great importance to the witness of the Church and its credibility", the Vatican statement said. The statement, translated by Vatican Radio, said: "The Holy Father assured that the victims of abuse and their suffering are especially present in his thoughts and prayers."