Kieran, as long as Francis remains silent about the Pontifical Secret under Canon Law; his credibility remains low on this key issue. This was exposed in an Irish Judicial Reviews, which highlighted an 1997 letter from the Papal Nuncio at the time; instructing the Irish Hierarchy that their agreed policy of mandatory reporting  to civil authorities, of priests accused of child abuse, was in conflict with Canon Law. They changed the policy inline with Vatican instructions. Subsequently, in Benedict's letter of apology to Irish Catholics dated the 19th March 2010.; he blamed the mismanagement of Irish bishops. They did not hide their anger from the media, for being made the "fall-guys" after they following instructions from Rome.
I find most of the Pope' comments, as reported above,  to be sadly lacking in integrity. While he appears genuine to address the issue;  he back-peddled into a quagmire. 
Do you think, that it is to get a preemptive move ahead of the Royal Commission's Report ?