VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis opened a global Catholic summit on Wednesday with a warning that delegates should not seek to foist pet agendas onto the assembly, an apparent attempt to prevent discussions bogging down in divisive issues such as women's ordination.

Pope Francis on Tuesday led a prayer service asking forgiveness for the failings of the Catholic Church, including treatment by clergy of women and survivors of sexual abuse, as Catholic leaders prepared to begin a month-long summit at the Vatican.

On Saturday, Pope Francis acknowledged that the abuse scandal had created "atrocious suffering and wounds," and undermined the faith.

Vatican City • For the first time, victims of clerical abuse, war and indifference told their stories in the marbled nave of St. Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis, prominent prelates and young people representing the next generation of Catholics.

We are only allowed to look down on a person to help them get up,’ Pope Francis told young people at the penitential ceremony.