Speaking after holding Click to visit the Middle East , Pope Francis said he would show zero tolerance stance against anyone in the Roman Catholic Church sexually abusing the child .

" Sexual abuse is a heinous criminal act ... as a pastor who does this betray the Lord's body , " he said .

Pope , 77 , speaks in front of reporters in his flight back to Rome .

The BBC's Jeremy Bowen who was there said many Catholics who would love to hear Pope Francis took a tough stance .

But it is still unclear if this policy of zero tolerance will extend to bishops accused of " turning a blind eye " to the actions of sexual abuse by priests in their dioceses .

Pope Francis said he would meet the eight victims and Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley , who is the head of the Vatican established a special commission to investigate sexual crimes committed by priests .

Cardinal O'Malley said last month he would recommend that the pastor is found to have violated must be responsible regardless of their position in the Church - a step that is trying driven by victims' groups .

Click Francis Pope has publicly apologized for straying sexual abuse of children committed by some priests .

The UN report accused the Vatican prefers " maintain the reputation of the Church and the abusers than the protection of the victims " .