DUBLIN (AP) — Pope Francis faced a lukewarm reception and scattered protests Saturday on his trip to Ireland, with even his vow to rid the church of the “scourge” of sexual abuse and his outrage at those “repugnant crimes” dismissed as an insult by Ireland’s wounded victims.

The abuse scandal — which has convulsed Ireland since the 1990s and has exploded anew in the U.S. — took center stage on the first day of Francis’ two-day trip to Ireland. The visit was originally intended to celebrate Catholic families but has been overshadowed by the renewed abuse crisis.